Crossroads to the Vatican.

The Next Pope Could Change More Than Just the Church

Artist Unknown

As binary as our thinking tends to be, we usually envision morality as two distinct roads representing right and wrong. As limiting as black and white thinking may be, we can’t help but to categorise. Of course we know by now that for the most part there is no absolute moral code, and these diverging roads look different to us all, where for some, the road down ‘leftism’ is labelled under all that is ‘wrong’ with the world, contrary to what you or I might know, and disregarding where civil liberties come into play. As a group best known for their love of the two-road-split, some of the stories emerging out of the catholic church speak to the consequences of an ingested repression and over-sanitisatised perspective alongside a cocktail of shame. Between child endangerment, political meddling, hypocrisy and prejudice, the catholic church has been host to a long list of scandals that speak to the flaws in fundamentalist doctrine, often going against the grain of progression over the years.

Nevertheless, 2013 saw the introduction of the late Pope Francis, representing a reformed catholicism dedicated to inclusivity and humanitarianism. To quote NBC, “The path Pope Francis forged as the leader of the Roman Catholic Church was as unlikely as it was unprecedented”, and so for many of us (including the atheists), we considered ourselves grateful for this blessing. Through the duration of his pontificate, the Pope oversaw a number of revolutionary acts that helped to cement his place in history, as well as challenging stereotypes associating the elderly and religious for being generally prejudiced.

Francis has repeatedly criticized traditionally-minded Catholics, often labeling them ‘rigid’, ‘impractical’, or ‘unloving’. For younger Catholics drawn to traditional liturgy and orthodoxy, his shift provided them an unforeseen alternative - a different path.

In 2023, Pope Francis introduced the document Fiducia Supplicans or ‘Supplicating Trust’, quietly opening the door to blessing same-sex couples. Though many claim the document caused significant confusion within the Church, insisting it promotes mortal sin among same-sex attracted individuals and fosters division among Catholics, the Pope maintained his stance, stating, “Who am I to judge?” when appointing a reportedly homosexual Vatican Bank. Alongside his support of same-sex marriage, Francis mocked large families by saying Catholics shouldn't “breed like rabbits”, whilst controversially supporting acts of planned parenthood, approving the use of condoms in certain cases.

Francis has also appointed many Cardinals with progressive views, some of whom have made public statements that appear to support agendas foreign to Catholic doctrine. In the wake of his passing, many can only hope his decisions will continue to shape the future of the Church long after Francis's papacy ends.

In Amoris Laetitia, Pope Francis included a now-infamous footnote back in 2016, interpreted by some as allowing Communion for divorced and remarried Catholics without annulments, directly contrasting with the clear position taken by Pope John Paul II on the matter. At the John Paul II Pontifical Theological Institute for Marriage and Family, Pope Francis oversaw the dismissal of all faculty and replaced them with individuals espousing nearly opposite beliefs. The new leadership included figures supportive of contraception and gay-friendly teachings.The Pope has also held audiences and bestowed honors on public advocates for abortion, same-sex marriage, cohabitation, and transgender couples, without calling them to repentance or re-emphasising the Church’s moral teachings, despite their usual place at the forefront of catholicism.

Outside of his mission to promote equality, the pope repeatedly granted interviews to an atheist journalist who continued to quote him making unprecedented statements—like denying the Trinity, the divinity of Christ, and even the existence of Hell; that realm typically used as a control measure for sinners everywhere.

Alongside welcoming dialogue with those outside the faith, Francis often criticised Catholics who disagreed with his approach. At the same time, The Pope made space for other religions, signing the Abu Dhabi declaration in 2019 stating that "God wills other religions,". During a trip to Israel, The Pope made sure to stop on the Palestinian side of the wall, placing his hand on it, and praying, despite the largely Muslim population out of Palestine, in addition to their subjugation by Israel, dubbed ‘the promised land’ by many catholics. This act specifically was largely regarded as a political statement against the barrier. Additionally, he allowed and blessed the presence of Pachamama idols—representing the Incan fertility goddess—during the Amazon Synod. These statues were displayed in the Vatican Gardens, and when Catholics threw them into the Tiber River in protest, Francis apologized to the Amazonian people, not to the faithful who were supposedly scandalized. Following on, the Pope urged Catholics to read the synod’s working document, controversially containing many proposals deemed to be problematic.

Finally, during the pandemic, Francis strongly endorsed vaccine mandates, saying Catholics had a moral obligation to be vaccinated for the common good. Of course the use of aborted fetal cells in vaccine development, the known side effects, natural immunity, and the Church’s own teaching that Catholics must follow conscience in medical decisions.

Generally speaking, The Pope has shown a pattern of preferential treatment for liberal factions within the Church, diverging from the catholic churches’ traditionalist history. The tensions have seemingly contributed to a current schism, though the pope insisted he wasn’t afraid of this.

After his death, many catholic websites, like Catholic Bridge listed many of these acts under “A list of things [they thought] may be damaging to catholics seeking truth”.

At the moment we’re left wondering whether his successors will continue in his footsteps, or whether they’ll make track marks in a path left to run dry during his papacy.

We’ve seen clearly where the separatism of church and state is rarely applied in reality, and where the catholic church could either amplify or restrain many of the ideological forces already at work in the West on both the right and left, the Church’s global voice and influence, will always have ripple effects far beyond the walls of The Vatican City. As such, the consequences of the next Pope’s political alignment will stand to change things going forward.

Predicting the outcome of a papal conclave is extremely difficult. As a secretive process, voting dynamics among cardinals can shift dramatically over successive ballots. Extensively, there have even been instances of attempts to influence outcomes to favor—or block—certain candidates. In 2013, few foresaw the election of Jorge Mario Bergoglio as Pope Francis, illustrating just how unpredictable the conclave can be at times. Regardless, speculation continues to surround a number of potential successors.

According to The Guardian, several prominent figures are being considered as potential successors to the papacy. Happily, most of these candidates are fairly promising, though the political variation across candidates exists on a sliding scale.

Pietro Parolin, aged 70, from Italy, has been described as a moderate and a "continuity candidate" having been close to Francis. As the Vatican’s secretary of state since 2013, he has played a central role in diplomacy, including negotiations with China and sensitive dealings in the Middle East. While diplomats trust him, critics argue he prioritizes diplomacy and ideological flexibility over ‘doctrinal clarity’. Still, his supporters continue to see him as a courageous peacemaker and an idealist in the midst of political unrest.

Luis Antonio Tagle, 67, from the Philippines, would be the first Asian pope—a significant figure given the rapid growth of Catholicism in South Western Asia. Once thought to be a favourite of Pope Francis and aligned with his progressive vision, his inspired perspective seems to have dimmed somewhat. While he voiced concern that Church teaching on gay and divorced couples may be too harsh, he maintains strong opposition to abortion rights in his home country.

Peter Turkson, 76, from Ghana, could become the first black pope in centuries. He is known for his vocal stance on global issues such as climate change, poverty, and economic justice. While he upholds traditional Catholic teachings on topics like marriage and the priesthood, he has moderated his views on homosexuality, acknowledging that anti-LGBT laws have been discriminatory in the past. In his advocacy work, he also includes anti-corruption and human rights.

Matteo Zuppi, 69, also from Italy, is widely seen as part of the Church’s progressive wing. Appointed cardinal in 2019, he has taken on several high-profile roles, including Vatican peace envoy to Ukraine. In that capacity, he met both Patriarch Kirill in Moscow and President Zelenskyy in Kyiv. Like the late Pope, Zuppi is considered liberal on issues such as same-sex relationships and is deeply committed to Francis’s focus on the poor and marginalized.

José Tolentino Calaça de Mendonça, 59, from Portugal, is one of the younger names floated for the papacy. Typically, his age might work against him as ambitious cardinals may not want to wait decades for another conclave, yet his alignment with Francis on many issues and openness to engaging with modern culture would enable a smooth transition here. In the style of the late Pope, Calaça’s support of same-sex tolerance and connections to feminist figures who advocate for women's ordination and abortion rights strengthens his suitability.

Mario Grech, 68, from Malta, began his career with a more traditionalist stance but shifted progressively under Francis’s influence. His critics view this evolution skeptically, while supporters say it shows openness to growth and reform. He has publicly supported the idea of female deacons and criticized European politicians who restrict humanitarian aid, particularly via NGO sea rescues.

Pierbattista Pizzaballa, 60, also from Italy, has served as the Latin patriarch of Jerusalem since 2020. He has emerged as a significant pastoral figure in a volatile region, especially following October 2023. Many note that he offered himself as a hostage in exchange for children held in Gaza, highlighting his affinity for peace. At the moment he remains quiet on divisive issues, but still reflects aspects of Francis’s leadership style.

Péter Erdő, 72, from Hungary, represents another potential direction here. Leading the conservative voice and a sharp departure from Francis’s pastoral tone, Erdo is known for his strict adherence to traditional Catholic doctrine. He garnered the support of late Cardinal George Pell, who believed Erdő could restore ‘discipline’ and ‘structure’ to Vatican governance. His opposition to welcoming migrants in 2015, in line with Hungary’s nationalist leadership, also marked an official departure from Francis’s inclusive message.

Lastly, Robert Sarah, 79, from Guinea, is one of the most traditional candidates under consideration. Known for his deep orthodoxy, Sarah has openly challenged Francis on several occasions. In 2020, he co-authored a book with the retired Pope Benedict defending clerical celibacy—a move seen by many as a direct critique of Francis. He has strongly opposed "gender ideology" and other fundamentalist religions, namely Islam, representing a decisive shift to the right. Like Turkson, he could become the first black pope in centuries.

Though I find myself increasingly disinterested in religion, religious institutions are far from uninteresting given their impact on wider society, secular as we’re thought to be. More than ever, Western institutions are under pressure to define themselves, contributing to the papacy’s position at the crossroads. Where Trump’s administration often condemned Pope Francis’ actions, the introduction of an equally as benevolent Pope would surely challenge the fundamentalism found in his own administration. For now though, we can only wait (and pray) that those chosen to decide will look past external pressures and continue on a beautifully forged path.

Asisa