The Catholic Church is preparing for a historic transition following the death of Pope Francis early Easter Monday.
The 88-year-old pontiff passed on after more than a decade of papal leadership marked by humility, reform, and global outreach. As the world mourns, attention swiftly turns to who will become the 267th pope.
A conclave of cardinal electors—those under the age of 80—will gather in Vatican City within the next two to three weeks.
After funeral rites and the traditional nine-day mourning period known as novemdiales, the secretive papal election will take place in the Sistine Chapel. A two-thirds majority is required to name the new pontiff.
Among the top contenders is Ghanaian Cardinal Peter Turkson, whose odds of becoming the next pope stand at 5:1, according to betting markets. If elected, Turkson would become the first African pope in over 1,500 years, since Pope Gelasius I (492–496 AD), a pontiff of African descent.
Turkson, 76, is well-respected for his work in economic justice, environmental advocacy, and poverty alleviation.
He formerly led the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, and is viewed as a strong candidate to uphold Pope Francis’ emphasis on social justice.
Other frontrunners include Filipino Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, who leads the odds at 3:1. Tagle, often called the “Asian Pope Francis,” is widely admired for his charisma and inclusive approach to evangelization. As Catholicism expands rapidly in Asia, his election would reflect the church’s growing global diversity.
Italian Cardinal Pietro Parolin, currently Vatican Secretary of State, follows with 4:1 odds. A skilled diplomat, Parolin has negotiated with China and Middle Eastern leaders, positioning him as a candidate with deep bureaucratic and international experience.
Hungarian Cardinal Peter Erdő, a conservative canon law scholar with 6:1 odds, and Italian Cardinal Angelo Scola, 82, with 8:1 odds, round out the top five. Scola was a leading contender in 2013, but his age and traditional views may weigh against him in this conclave.
As the Catholic world awaits, the next pope’s identity will determine whether the Church continues on Francis’ path of reform or shifts in a new direction.
Should Cardinal Turkson be chosen, it would mark a historic moment not just for Africa, but for the entire Catholic Church.
