Pope Francis remains hospitalized as he fights off a respiratory infection, raising concerns about his health and leading many to speculate on who might succeed him as the next pontiff.
The 88-year-old Argentinean pope was admitted to Rome’s Gemelli hospital on Friday following complications from a weeklong bout of bronchitis, according to news reports. Serving as the 266th leader of the Catholic Church and the sovereign of Vatican City since 2013, Pope Francis’ health struggles have sparked discussions about the Church’s future leadership.
Doctors report that Pope Francis is in a “stable” clinical condition as he undergoes treatment. In his younger years, he suffered from severe pneumonia, which led to the removal of part of one lung. His mobility has also declined, requiring the use of a wheelchair, walker, or cane due to knee problems and sciatica. More recently, he has experienced two falls, adding to concerns about his overall well-being.
In light of his ongoing health challenges, questions regarding succession have become more pressing. Many are wondering who might take his place if he becomes unable to fulfill his papal duties.
Who Is Pope Francis?
Pope Francis has been the head of the Catholic Church and the sovereign of Vatican City since March 13, 2013. He is the first pope from the Society of Jesus, the first to come from Argentina, and the first from the Americas.
Who Might Succeed Pope Francis?
Pope Francis became pontiff at the age of 76, following the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI in 2013.
Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires on December 17, 1936, he held various jobs—including working as a bouncer and janitor—before studying chemistry. In 1958, he joined the Jesuits, eventually becoming a Catholic priest in 1969 and later the Archbishop of Buenos Aires in 1998. Pope John Paul II elevated him to the rank of cardinal in 2001.
If Pope Francis is no longer able to serve, the process of selecting his successor would follow the traditional conclave method. This involves a secretive gathering of cardinals from around the world in Vatican City, where they cast their votes in the Sistine Chapel to determine the next pope.
On February 6, Pope Francis extended the term of Italian Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re as dean of the College of Cardinals. This position plays a key role in preparing for a potential conclave, which would oversee the process of selecting a new pope if needed.
While no definitive successor has been named, any baptized Roman Catholic male is technically eligible to be elected pope. However, since 1378, the selection has traditionally come from within the College of Cardinals, according to Religion News Service.
Several prominent figures have emerged as possible candidates for the papacy. Among them is Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s secretary of state. Cardinal Peter Turkson of Ghana, who formerly led the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, is also considered a contender. Another possibility is Cardinal Luis Tagle, who has served as the prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples since December 2019 and was previously the Archbishop of Manila.
Additional cardinals who could be considered include Matteo Zuppi, Gerhard Müller, Angelo Scola, Angelo Bagnasco, Raymond Burke, Robert Sarah, and Malcolm Ranjith.
In August 2020, Edward Pentin, a longtime senior Rome correspondent for the National Catholic Register, published a book titled The Next Pope: The Leading Cardinal Candidates. In his book, he identifies 19 cardinals he views as frontrunners for the papacy. Among those listed are American cardinals such as Seán Patrick O’Malley, the former Archbishop of Boston, and Cardinal Raymond Leo Burke, who previously served as Archbishop of St. Louis, Missouri.
As Pope Francis continues his treatment, the Catholic world awaits further developments regarding his health. Meanwhile, speculation continues over who might eventually succeed him as the next leader of the Church.