The election of the next Pope is close to concluding, as the Vatican is preparing for the conclave in which the successor to Pope Francis will be chosen. It is considered a sacred process in which popularity does not play a decisive role, but rather a divine inspiration is expected for the election.
In the past, situations like the election of Jorge Mario Bergoglio in 2013, despite being considered too old to be Pope, or the appointment of Karol Wojtyla as John Paul II in 1978, when he was not on the favorites list, demonstrate that final decisions can be surprising.
Mexicans have their own preferences for who could be the next Pope, many of them cardinals appointed by Pope Francis himself. It is speculated that the next European Pontiff would continue Francis' tradition but with a more sober and diplomatic approach.
In a survey conducted by El Financiero, five possible European candidates for the papal position are mentioned. Among them are Cardinal Reinhard Marx, Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, Cardinal Christoph Schoenborn, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, and Cardinal Peter Erdo.
Each of these cardinals has their own profile and ecclesiastical background that makes them stand out in this selection process. It is expected that the conclave, which will take place on May 7, will be able to reach a consensus to elect the new Pope, who must be a baptized male Catholic under 80 years old and obtain at least two-thirds of the votes.
Each cardinal has their own characteristics and background that could influence the final decision. For example, Cardinal Reinhard Marx has been a strong advocate for reforms in the Church and has been part of controversial processes in his country. Meanwhile, Cardinal Matteo Zuppi is closely associated with a Catholic charity organization and has participated in peace negotiations.
Cardinal Christoph Schoenborn is known for his stance on divorced Catholics who remarry civilly, which generated controversy in the past. On the other hand, Cardinal Pietro Parolin has been a key diplomat at the Holy See and has been involved in important agreements, such as that concerning the Church in China.
Finally, Cardinal Peter Erdo has been recognized for his work with the European episcopal conferences and his relationship with African cardinals, which could work in his favor in the conclave. With these candidacies on the table, the election of the next Pope is expected to be a process marked by caution and reflection.
