Who will be the next pope? Here are the three frontrunners:

Cardinal Pietro Parolin:

A skilled diplomat, the cardinal has held the number two position in the Vatican since 2013 and has a deep knowledge of the global church. Parolin, who hails from the north of Italy, has worked in Latin America as papal representative in Venezuela and he attended the signing of Colombia’s 2016 peace agreement. He has been the architect of the Vatican’s attempts to build relations with Vietnam and the move to re-establish diplomatic ties with China which saw the Holy See sign a deal with Beijing on bishop appointments. His election could lead to clashes with the Trump administration as he has rebuked the US president’s Gaza plan. While he was supportive of Francis' agenda, Parolin is a more cautious, conservative figure, although his skills at mediation and diplomacy may appeal to voters.

Cardinal Matteo Zuppi:

Zuppi has strong diplomatic skills which were recognized by Francis when he asked the cardinal to lead a peace mission for Ukraine in 2023. The Italian prelate, a member of the Catholic humanitarian group Sant’Egidio, was part of a team which helped to mediate an end to the Mozambique civil war in 1992. The Roman-born cardinal is known for getting around Bologna on his bicycle and for his outreach to LGBTQ+ Catholics.

Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle:

The Filipino cardinal is a humble, yet charismatic leader often dubbed the “Asian Francis” due to his close association with the pastoral priorities of the Francis pontificate. For several years, he led the church’s global charitable arm. In 2019, he was asked by Francis to be prefect for the Vatican department for evangelization, which has seen him work closely with leaders of churches in the developing world. Although an engaging leader, some have questioned his management skills after a Vatican overhaul of the leadership of Caritas – the federation of Catholic charities – saw him step down as president. Tagle, known as “Chito,” would be the first Southeast Asian and Filipino pope and his candidacy reflects the growing influence of the church in Asia.

Place your bets here.

Team Zuppi

Do they ever consider any of the St. Louis Cardinals?

The smoke is white. A new pope has been chosen.

I'm sure they made sure to choose a rabid anti-gay bigot this time.

If it's not Archbishop Pizzaballa, I'm gonna be so pissed.

Better have Depends on hand, r9.

I'm prayin' they chose mah love, Mistah Donald J. Trump.

What's the old saying about the conclave - "you go in as the Pope and come out as a cardinal"

White smoke.

Yep, white smoke. I wonder who'll it'll be. Probably the cardinal from the Philippines.

I hope it’s that one R14. He seems pleasant and sane. And there are so many Catholics in the world.

Aren't you Catholic, ElderLez?

I was born and raised Catholic, more agnostic now, but I still tingle a bit over all this.

I’m Lutheran. My grandparents were Catholics so I was baptized in the Catholic Church, but that was it for my career as Catholic.

So who's the new pope? I'm impatient.

Which one sang And I am Telling You for the talent competition?

Hah so they’re speculating he’s a fatty and they need to adjust the garments.

LOL!

American Robert Prevost. Wow.

Is he MAGA?

Who's had him?

His first act should be to declare Trump the anti christ.

Pope Leo XIV.

Born in the USA!

[Quote] His first act should be to declare Trump the anti christ.

Why state the obvious?

DiCaprio!

AMERICAN SURPRISE

FWIW the Freepers don’t seem to like him.

He's tweeted/retweeted anti-Trump/Vance posts. Keep it up, Pope!

I’m Catholic and no one I know dared hoped we could have him. This is great news. And he’s 69, so he’ll be around for a loooong time.

R32 - Tell that to John Paul I.

LOL…R33, this should be on the pope joke thread!