Who Will Be the Next Pope? Experts Say ‘Anything Can Happen’ (Exclusive)

As the world mourns the passing of Pope Francis, attention turns to the upcoming conclave where cardinals will gather to elect the next leader of the Catholic Church. The question on everyone’s mind is: Who will be the next Pope? According to experts, predicting the outcome is no easy task, as history has shown that any candidate could emerge victorious regardless of initial expectations.

Bill Cavanaugh, an American Catholic theologian and professor at DePaul University, noted that the unexpected nature of papal elections means that any cardinal could potentially become the next Pope. With the conclave expected to take place within 15 to 20 days after Pope Francis’ passing, the world waits in anticipation to see who will emerge as the 267th leader of the Catholic Church.

Kathleen Sprows Cummings, a professor at the University of Notre Dame and an expert on Pope Francis, highlighted that while there are around 140 eligible cardinals, only a select few are considered papabile – candidates with a real chance of being elected. The concept of a papabile extends to around 15 individuals who are seen as potential successors to Pope Francis.

In the aftermath of Pope Francis’ death, speculation has already begun about potential front-runners for the papacy, including Cardinal Luis Tagle of the Philippines and Cardinal Pietro Parolin of Italy. However, the final outcome remains uncertain, as the voting cardinals have the ultimate decision in selecting the new Pope.

One factor complicating the prediction of the next Pope is the significant number of cardinals appointed by Pope Francis himself. With approximately 80% of the voting cardinals chosen by Francis, the conclave is likely to reflect the diverse perspectives within the Catholic Church, adding an element of unpredictability to the selection process.

The unique circumstances surrounding the upcoming papal election have led experts to acknowledge the possibility of unexpected outcomes. While speculations abound, the ultimate decision rests with the cardinals as they convene to deliberate and cast their votes in the conclave.

As the Catholic Church enters a period of transition and reflection following Pope Francis’ passing, the world watches with bated breath to witness the selection of the next spiritual leader. The conclave represents a pivotal moment in the history of the Church, where tradition, faith, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit converge to shape the future of one of the world’s oldest institutions.

In the words of Kathleen Sprows Cummings, “Anything can happen.” The selection of the next Pope remains a mystery waiting to unfold, embodying the essence of faith, unpredictability, and the belief in divine intervention that characterizes the papal succession process.