The Vatican elected a new Pope on the third attempt
8 May 19:37
After two failed attempts, the cardinals of the Catholic Church were able to elect a new pope. This was evidenced by white smoke from the chimney above the Sistine Chapel.
This became known from a broadcast from the Vatican, reports "Komersant Ukrainian"
After the white smoke came out of the chimney, bells began to ring, and joyful shouts were heard from the crowd gathered under the Sistine Chapel.
The Pope was elected on the second day of the secret conclave and after several failed attempts, during which black smoke came from the chimney above the Sistine Chapel.
What is known about the election of the Pope
On April 21, the 266th Pope Francis died at the age of 88. According to the official report, he died as a result of a stroke and irreversible cardiovascular collapse.
Shortly before his death, he suffered bilateral pneumonia, during which he received blood transfusions and lung ventilation. The pontiff was buried on April 26 outside the Vatican.
Who will be the next Pope?
Any Christian can be elected Pope. However, in fact, only a man who remains celibate can claim the papal throne. Since the fourteenth century, only a priest from among the unmarried cardinals of the Catholic Church has invariably become pontiff.
Among the main contenders for the papal throne are at least 6 candidates from Europe, Asia and Africa. The direction of the Roman Catholic Church depends on who becomes Pope. After all, each of the candidates has his or her own vision on many issues, such as abortion, the LGBT community, canon law, and the foreign policy of the Holy See.
70-year-old Italian Pietro Parolin is considered the main favorite for the papal throne. Parolin is the Vatican’s Secretary of State, who determines its foreign policy. He was a close associate of Pope Francis and was considered the Vatican’s chief diplomat. In 2024, Parolin visited Ukraine and met with Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
However, even Pietro Parolin’s supporters admit that he lacks the charisma of his predecessor. Critics mention his comments on same-sex marriage, which he called “a defeat for humanity.” Also controversial are Parolin’s persistent attempts to strengthen the position of the Catholic Church in China, which required negotiations with communist leaders.
Another favorite for the papal throne is 67-year-old Filipino Luis Antonio Tagle, who heads the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples. For many years, Tagle was considered the main contender for the post of pontiff. However, now his chances are estimated to be lower than those of Pietro Parolin.
In the Vatican, Cardinal Tagle is responsible for missionary activities. Sometimes he is called the “Asian Francis” for his ability to communicate with the poor and for criticizing the tough stance of some Catholic clergy toward gays, divorced and unwed mothers. Tagle opposes abortion, but is comfortable with same-sex marriage and defends the rights of the LGBT community. If elected, he will be the first pope from Southeast Asia.
Another favorite for the Holy See is 69-year-old Italian Matteo Zuppi. He is often referred to as the “Pope of Peace” for his great activity in the international arena and humanitarian initiatives. Zuppi is the Archbishop of Bologna and President of the Italian Bishops’ Conference. In 2023-2024, he represented the Vatican in peace missions regarding the war in Ukraine. He traveled to Kyiv and Moscow, as well as to Beijing and Washington, trying to convince world leaders to help end the war in Ukraine.
The chances of 72-year-old Hungarian Peter Erde to become pope are also estimated to be quite high. Cardinal Erde represents the conservative wing of the Vatican and opposes the Holy Communion for divorced people. He insists on a ban on remarriage. Erde seeks to return the Catholic Church to conservatism. He is known for his diplomatic skills and speaks several languages, which has made him popular with Catholic leaders in Latin America and Africa.
65-year-old Friedolin Ambongo, Archbishop of Kinshasa, may become the first black pope in the history of the Catholic Church. The Congolese has been a close friend of Pope Francis and one of the nine members of the pontiff’s advisory group, known as the Council of Cardinals. Despite his friendly relationship with Francis, Ambongo has more conservative views. In 2023, he led the opposition in the Vatican, opposing Pope Francis’ decision to allow priests to bless same-sex couples.
Cardinal Ambongo has long called on the Vatican to pay more attention to the development of the Catholic community in Africa and Asia. One of his arguments in favor of actively promoting the Catholic Church in Africa is the fact that Catholics make up about 18% of the continent’s population and produce more seminarians than in any other part of the world.
Ambongo’s rival is another black cardinal from Africa, 76-year-old Peter Turkson of Ghana. He was considered one of the main favorites of the 2013 conclave that elected Pope Francis. Turkson shares Francis’ vision of social justice, economic equality and environmental protection. He has represented the Vatican at the highest levels around the world, including at the United Nations, dealing with migration and environmental issues.
If the Vatican decides that the time has come to strengthen the Catholic Church’s position outside Europe, the conclave may elect either Peter Turkson or Luis Antonio Tagle as pope.
If the supporters of continuing the policy of Pope Francis, whose priorities were to help the poor, care for the environment, and protect human rights, prevail, the new pontiff is likely to be Pietro Parolin or Matteo Zuppi. If Peter Erde is elected Pope, it can be argued that conservatives have won in the Vatican.
There is a Ukrainian among the candidates
Among the cardinals who will elect the new pope is a 45-year-old Ukrainian, Mykola Bychok, who was born in Ternopil. He has been a bishop of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church in Australia for almost five years.
Mykola Bychok is the youngest cardinal in the conclave. Pope Francis appointed him as a cardinal only last year, and now he has the right to vote in the election of the new pope.
Theoretically, Mykola Bychok can be elected Pope, but he believes that there are more experienced candidates.
