Pope Francis’ death on Monday, the day after Easter Sunday, triggered a chain of events that will culminate in a vote for the next pope in a few weeks.
Francis’ successor will be chosen by the Catholic Church’s Cardinal Electors, a group of approximately 135 cardinals under the age of 80 who are expected to convene in early to mid-May to conduct a secret election for the next pontiff.
Cardinals have been chosen for the position over the last 600 years — since 1378 — despite the fact that any male Roman Catholic who has been baptised is technically eligible.
Here’s a look at some of the cardinals who are being considered as potential candidates for pope:
Cardinal Peter Erdo, archbishop of Budapest, Hungary
Cardinal Peter Erdo, a 72-year-old canon lawyer, is the highest ranking Catholic leader in a country that is 80% Christian. He is well-known for his support of Pope Francis’ outreach to Orthodox Christians.
Erdo also falls on the conservative side of the European cultural divide. Hungary’s leader has taken a balanced approach to migration, acknowledging both the right to migrate and the need for political stability.
Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo, archbishop of Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo
Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo, president of the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar, gained international attention for leading African bishops in a unanimous rejection of “Fiducia Supplicans,” a Vatican declaration issued in 2023 that included guidelines on the blessings of same-sex couples.
At 65 years old, he is a proponent of orthodoxy who defends priestly celibacy and the Church’s moral teachings. He is also known as a social justice advocate and a champion of the poor and voiceless, and he is openly critical of the Congolese government.
Cardinal Mario Grech, secretary general for the Synod of Bishops
Cardinal Mario Grech, 68, is a canon lawyer with significant influence over how the church’s synods are run. Supporters have praised him for leading the charge in implementing a more consultative and inclusive approach to church governance.
Grech is from Malta, one of the smallest countries in the world.
Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s secretary of state
Cardinal Pietro Parolin, 70, is the Vatican’s second-in-command and a career diplomat who has consistently overcome any turbulence during the pontificate.
He is regarded as a moderate who, if elected, could heal divisions within the church. He is also considered a progressive with a global perspective.
Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin patriarch of Jerusalem
Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, 60, is a pastoral candidate who has spoken out about the Israel-Hamas conflict and visited Gaza during it.
He supports social justice and considers himself a servant of the people. He shares Francis’ concern for migrants, interfaith dialogue, and disdain for clericalism.
Cardinal Luis Tagle of the Philippines
Cardinal Luis Tagle, 67, and pro-prefect for the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, is known as the “Asian Francis” for his missionary spirit as well as his emphasis on caring for the poor and welcoming of LGBTQ and divorced and remarried Catholics.
He is the former archbishop of Manila, Philippines, one of Asia’s most Catholic countries, and spent seven years studying in the United States. His election would mark the continuation of Francis’ pontificate.
Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, archbishop of Bologna, Italy
Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, 69, is the President of the Italian Bishops’ Conference. He is known as a “street priest” and missionary who seeks a church that listens to the faithful and is open to modernisation. Zuppi welcomes same-sex couples and people of different religions.
Francis chose Zuppi as his envoy to Russia and Ukraine, as well as to the West Bank and Beijing, to promote peace.
Cardinal Anders Arborelius, archbishop of Stockholm
Cardinal Anders Arborelius, 75, was raised Lutheran before converting to Catholicism at the age of 20. He is the first-ever cardinal from Scandinavia.
He is also a traditionalist when it comes to church teachings on sexual ethics and gender, and he is very concerned about the environment.
Arborelius has advocated for immigration into Sweden, arguing that dialogue and integration are preferable to restrictions.
Cardinal Gerald Cyprien Lacroix of Quebec
Cardinal Gérald Cyprien Lacroix, Metropolitan Archbishop of Quebec in Canada, is 67 years old. He previously worked as a missionary and seminary professor in Colombia for several years.
He took a temporary leave of absence from his duties due to sexual abuse allegations, which he denied, but returned last year after a church-led investigation found no evidence of misconduct.