The passing of Pope Francis at the age of 98 has turned the world’s attention to who will be the next pope. In theory, any Catholic male who has been baptized could be chosen to be the next pope and govern over 1.2 billion Catholics, but traditionally, the next pontiff is chosen when cardinals gather at the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican and hold a secret papal election known as a conclave.
Pope Francis’ Cause of Death
Francis’s cause of death was a stroke that caused irreversible heart failure, according to the Vatican released death certificate.  “He taught us to live the values of the Gospel with faithfulness, courage, and universal love, especially in favor of the poorest and the marginalized,” Cardinal Kevin Farrell wrote in a statement.Â
 On Wednesday, Francis’ body will be transferred to St. Peter’s Basilica so worshippers can pay their respects, the Vatican said. President Trump and First Lady Melania have said they will be attending the funeral.
There Are Two Forerunners
The contest will likely be a battle between progressives, who stood with the pope and his liberal views on divorce, gays, and the challenges faced by refugees, and conservatives, who hated his liberal agenda.
Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, 67
If chosen, the frontrunner would make history as the world’s first Asian pope. Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, 67, has been mentioned many times by the liberals in the Catholic Church. He is well known for his sense of humor and has been dubbed the Asian Pope. He is well known for his progressive views and humility. He was born in the Philippines.
Many in the Catholic Church say he was Francis’s favorite to succeed him. He is the head of a major dicastery for evangelization. He is a strong contender and relatively young compared to other popes. However, his age could work against him because cardinals are often wary about appointing a younger man. After all, his papacy could go on for decades.
Cardinal Peter Turkson, 76
Also in contention is Cardinal Peter Turkson, 76. He was a key adviser to Francis on climate change and social justice. If appointed, he would be the first black pope. He was born in Ghana and was appointed in 1992 as the archbishop of Cape Coast by Francis.
Francis brought him to the Vatican in 2009 and appointed him the head of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace. He became one of the Pope’s closest advisors. He shared that in 2023, he prayed against being elected as pope, but many believed, with all of his media appearances, that he was campaigning for the position. Tagle and Turkson appear to be the most likely candidates, but that isn’t an assurance that either will be chosen for the job.
When is the Conclave?
A conclave must be held within 15 to 20 days after the Pope’s passing. The century-old tradition is part theater and part theology, done completely in secret. They are locked inside a secure area inside the Sistine Chapel, and they are not allowed to leave that area or communicate with anyone in the outside world until they have come to a final decision.
