Know who the Conclave’s favorites were before the announcement of the new Pope. Was your favorite on the list? Here are the details.
This morning, shortly before noon in Houston (about 11:30 a.m.), the long-awaited white smoke marked the end of the conclave and the beginning of a new chapter for the Catholic Church. Although the name of the new Pontiff has not yet been officially announced, the focus is on the preferiti, the cardinals who arrived at the conclave as the main favorites.
In every papal election, there are names that resonate more strongly than others, whether for their pastoral leadership, their diplomatic experience, or their vision for a Church in transformation. Here we review the names most mentioned before the election:
Cardinal Matteo Zuppi (Italy)
Archbishop of Bologna and a key figure in the Saint Egidio movement, Zuppi was one of the strongest names. Close to Pope Francis’s pastoral style, he combines a humble profile with a strong commitment to peace, interreligious dialogue, and care for the most vulnerable. His ability to bridge gaps made him one of the papabili most discussed by Vatican watchers.
Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle (Philippines)
Considered the “Francis of Asia,” Tagle has been one of the Church’s most charismatic and global faces. Prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization and former archbishop of Manila, his missionary experience and his closeness to the people made him a natural candidate to continue Francis’s opening agenda.
Cardinal Pietro Parolin (Italy)
As Secretary of State of the Vatican, Parolin was a heavyweight candidate due to his knowledge of the Curia and his diplomatic experience. He represents a more institutional and moderate profile, capable of offering stability, though without the pastoral charisma of other papabili.
Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich (Luxembourg)
Jesuit, polyglot and president of the Commission of the Episcopal Conferences of the EU, Hollerich represented an option to consolidate the European Church in the face of challenges such as secularization. His open thinking on social issues made him stand out as a figure of theological renewal.
Cardinal Robert Sarah (Guinea)
With a conservative orientation, Sarah drew attention from sectors that long for a return to more traditional forms within the liturgy and doctrine. Although with less support within the College of Cardinals, his name remained present in more traditional circles.
Although only one will step out to the balcony as Pontiff, these names reflect the different currents within contemporary Catholicism: continuity, renewal, tradition, inclusion. The choice is already made, but the debate about the Church’s future remains open. Soon we will know the name that will mark this new stage.
