🏳️‍🌈 Luis Tagle (Philippines): Alberto Melloni, a historian based in Rome, told The Washington Post that Tagle, 67, was once considered to be Francis’ “rising star” while serving as pro-prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization in the Philippines, and Tagle has previously criticized “harsh” and “severe” rhetoric used by clerics to describe the LGTBQ+ community, divorced people and unwed mothers.

🇨🇳 Pietro Parolin (Italy): Parolin, 70, was appointed the Vatican’s Secretary of State by Francis in 2014, and he will likely be seen as a candidate to succeed Francis because of his respect among secular diplomats, including for his negotiations with China and several Middle East countries, according to Vatican analysts. Parolin was involved in reaching an agreement between the Vatican and the Chinese government in 2018, though the Vatican was criticized for “selling out” to China’s communist government.

⛪ Robert Sarah (Guinea): Sarah, 79, is a prelate from Guinea and the

With the passing of Pope Francis on April 21, the Catholic Church is preparing for a transition that will determine its direction for the foreseeable future. As the first Latin American pope, Francis brought significant change as Bishop of Rome, focusing on social justice, environmental issues and a more inclusive Church.

Now, the College of Cardinals prepares to gather at the Vatican for a conclave that will shape the Church's future. Their choice won't just name the next leader of 1.37 billion Catholics—it will set the course for doctrine, transparency and the Church's outreach to its flock.

Will the next pope continue Francis's progressive reforms, or will the cardinals pivot back toward theological conservatism? The answer will be clear when the symbolic white smoke rises from the Sistine Chapel. Francis's Influence on the Election

The next pope will face a Church shaped by Francis's appointments and reforms. His tenure saw major structural changes, including the decentralizatio