Pope Francis’ legacy faces test as cardinals prepare to choose successor
Pope Francis’ emphasis on reaching out to the “peripheries” of the Catholic Church and world has led to a historic gathering of church leaders to select the next pope. Mary FioRito, an expert on papal elections, notes that the upcoming papal conclave will be the most diverse in history, with a majority of cardinals coming from regions like Africa and Asia.
This diversity in the conclave could potentially result in a shift in priorities for the next pope. While Francis focused on themes like synodality, the African cardinals, who now form a significant voting bloc, are more concerned with issues like persecution and poverty. In countries like Nigeria, Christians face violence and discrimination, making these issues a top priority for the African church leaders.
FioRito predicts that the next pope will need to address these pressing issues and respect the perspectives of the African church. The cardinals from Africa are wary of Western ideologies like climate change, abortion, and gender ideology, which they see as a form of colonization. They will likely seek a pope who can stand against such influences and prioritize the needs of the global south.
Potential candidates for the next pope include Hungarian Cardinal Péter Erdő, who is respected by both the synodality camps and the African bishops, and American-born Cardinal Robert Prevost, who has experience working in Latin America. However, the selection process is less about specific issues and more about finding a leader who can unify the church and address the challenges of the modern world.
As the conclave approaches, the cardinals will need to prayerfully consider who is best suited to lead the church in this new era. The next pope will need to navigate the complexities of a globalized world and ensure that the teachings of the Catholic Church remain relevant and impactful. The selection of the next pope is a momentous decision that will shape the future of the church and its response to the diverse challenges facing believers around the world.
