Picking the Next Pope

Since the unexpected death of Pope Francis on Easter Monday, Catholics across the world have been discussing the burning question of who will succeed him as Holy Father. Should the next pope be conservative or liberal? Active or contemplative?  From the Eastern or Western Hemisphere?   This rare moment in the life of the Church carries with it the intoxicating uncertainty of a pile of Christmas gifts yet to be opened.  

Some enthusiasts of the mystique surrounding the May 7 conclave are going one step further and putting their money behind their favorite candidate.  According to recently updated figures from the William Hall betting firm, the current favorite, Italian Cardinal Pietro Parolin, stands at odds of 9/4. Others prefer Filipino Cardinal Luis Tagle, known for his progressive policies.  Some conservative Catholics wax enthusastic about Cardinal Robert Sarah, the Benedict XVI appointee who emerged as one of Pope Francis's most outspoken critics.  While betting on the results of the papal election is not a new thing (it's been around since the 16th century, at least), the ascendency of social media has streamlined the dissemination of betting statistics at lightning speed. 

It's an excellent thing that the Cardinals in lockdown at the Sistine Chapel are forced to hand over their cell phones.

The website Catholics for Catholics, linked here, https://cforc.com/2025/04/newpopesurvey/,  invites visitors to select their favorite papabile from a choice of four potential popes, but the poll doesn't omit the tantalizing option of "Other," reminding the Catholic world that papal elections can yield quite unexpected results.  Relatively few Catholics remember the much-touted showdown between Italian conservative Giuseppe Siri and his more liberal rival Giovanni Benelli.  Two days into the conclave, someone suggested a scholarly cardinal from Eastern Europe.  To the world's astonishment, John Paul II was the man who ultimately stepped out onto the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica--the first non-Italian pope in over 450 years.  Before his election, Pope Francis himself was a dark horse in betting circles.

The website https://www.vaticania.org/ takes a different approach.  An initiative started by lay Catholics from several different countries, it invites the faithful to contact them and weigh in on the "qualities and priorities" essential for the person who will be the next pope.

However Catholics respond, we can safely predict that the excitement wll keep mounting until the defining moment when the white smoke appears.  Meanwhile, these days of the sede vacante also call for deep reflection and intense prayer on the part of Catholics throughout the world.  May God send us a pope after His own heart, who will wear the mantle of Peter in courage and truth.