The Real Conclave: Papabili
The Papabile Cardinals – Who Will Lead the Church?
With the cardinals now gathered in Rome and the battle lines drawn, the focus shifts to the most crucial question: Who will be the next pope?
The outcome of this conclave is not just about selecting a leader—it is about determining the future direction of Catholicism itself. Will the Church continue down the path of modernist compromise that Francis initiated, or will it return to doctrinal clarity and traditional Catholic teaching?
The list of potential successors, known as papabili, is already forming. Three factions have emerged: the conservatives, seeking to restore orthodoxy; the progressives, determined to secure Francis' legacy; and the compromise candidates, who may be able to navigate between the two.
This conclave will be a fight for the soul of the Church.
The Conservative Hopefuls – Restoring Tradition
For faithful Catholics who believe Francis' papacy weakened the Church, the election of a traditionalist pope is the only hope for renewal. These candidates stand for a return to strong doctrine, reverent liturgy, and moral clarity. However, they face an uphill battle—Francis has stacked the College of Cardinals with progressives, making it difficult for a conservative to secure the necessary votes.
Cardinal Robert Sarah (Guinea) – The African Champion of Orthodoxy
A towering spiritual figure, Cardinal Robert Sarah has long been a defender of Catholic tradition and an enemy of modernist distortions. Born in Guinea in 1945, he has been a voice for doctrinal clarity and liturgical reverence, especially in defending the Traditional Latin Mass.
During his time as Prefect for the Congregation for Divine Worship, Sarah sought to restore a sense of the sacred to Catholic liturgy, a position that put him at odds with Francis, who sought to suppress the Latin Mass. His book The Power of Silence was seen as a direct rebuke of the chaotic, ambiguous direction of the modern Church.
Sarah is beloved by faithful Catholics worldwide, particularly in Africa, where the Church is growing at an unprecedented rate. However, his biggest challenge remains the Eurocentric power structure of the Vatican, which has historically resisted African leadership.
What a Sarah Papacy Would Mean: A decisive return to Catholic orthodoxy, a revival of tradition, and an uncompromising stand against modernist errors.
Cardinal Péter Erdő (Hungary) – The Brilliant Theologian Opposed to Modernist Errors
A highly respected canon lawyer and theologian, Cardinal Péter Erdő has been a consistent defender of traditional Catholic doctrine. Born in Budapest in 1952, he has served as Archbishop of Esztergom-Budapest since 2003, overseeing the Hungarian Church with intellectual rigor and theological precision.
Erdő played a key role in resisting Francis' push for doctrinal ambiguity. During the 2015 Synod on the Family, he firmly rejected attempts to allow Communion for the divorced and remarried, warning that such a move would erode the Church’s teaching on marriage. He has also spoken out against the German Synodal Path, condemning its push for women’s ordination and LGBTQ+ blessings.
His strength lies in his intellectual clarity and his ability to rally conservatives in Europe. However, he is not a charismatic figure, and some fear that his leadership style may struggle to command global influence.
What an Erdő Papacy Would Mean: A strong theological defense of Catholic tradition, a reinforcement of moral teachings, and a rejection of progressive innovations.
Cardinal Raymond Burke (USA) – The Fierce Critic of Francis, But Sidelined
No cardinal has been more outspoken in his opposition to Pope Francis than Raymond Burke. Once a high-ranking Vatican official, Burke was removed from his position as Prefect of the Apostolic Signatura by Francis, largely because of his defense of traditional Catholicism.
Burke has been a vocal opponent of Francis’ doctrinal ambiguity, particularly regarding Fiducia Supplicans (same-sex blessings) and the suppression of the Latin Mass. He was one of the Dubia Cardinals, publicly challenging Francis to clarify his positions—questions that were never directly answered.
His staunch defense of Catholic teaching has made him a hero among traditionalists, but his open defiance of Francis has also led to his marginalization within the Vatican.
While Burke is unlikely to be elected pope, his influence among the conservative cardinals means that his endorsement could play a crucial role in determining which traditionalist emerges as the leading candidate.
What a Burke Papacy Would Mean: A complete reversal of Francis-era reforms, a full restoration of Catholic tradition, and a confrontation with progressive forces within the Church.
The Progressive Candidates – Continuing Francis’ Revolution
The liberal cardinals, many of whom were appointed by Francis, are determined to ensure that his agenda of “openness” and doctrinal flexibility continues. They seek to further decentralize the Church, push forward with Synodality, and entrench a more modernist theological vision.
Cardinal Matteo Zuppi (Italy) – The Italian Heir to Francis’ Vision
Zuppi, Archbishop of Bologna, is widely seen as Francis’ chosen successor. A charismatic figure, he has championed LGBTQ+ inclusion and played a role in ecumenical outreach. He is also known for his political activism, particularly in promoting migrant rights and social justice causes.
Zuppi's greatest advantage is his close ties to the European progressive elite. However, his unwillingness to enforce doctrine and open embrace of the German Synodal Path’s reforms have made him deeply unpopular among traditionalists.
What a Zuppi Papacy Would Mean: A full endorsement of Francis’ revolution, likely accelerating doctrinal flexibility and decentralization.
Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle (Philippines) – The Globalist Favorite, Closely Tied to Francis
Often referred to as “the Asian Francis,” Tagle is a favorite of globalist institutions, with deep ties to the United Nations, World Economic Forum, and international development organizations. He has worked closely with Francis on migrant issues and interfaith dialogue, positioning himself as a papal contender for the modern age.
Tagle’s strong suit is his ability to appeal to both Western liberals and the growing Church in Asia. However, his alignment with progressive causes, including greater acceptance of LGBTQ+ Catholics, makes him a controversial figure among conservatives.
What a Tagle Papacy Would Mean: A Church increasingly aligned with secular globalist agendas and continued weakening of Catholic doctrine.
The Compromise Candidates – The Centrists
With both progressives and conservatives locked in a fierce ideological battle, the centrist cardinals may emerge as kingmakers. They are not ideological warriors but pragmatists, seeking to maintain the institutional stability of the Church rather than dramatically shifting its course.
Cardinal Pietro Parolin (Italy) – The Vatican Secretary of State, Deeply Political
As the chief Vatican diplomat, Parolin has been at the heart of Francis' political strategy, including the controversial China-Vatican agreement. He is an experienced operator within the Curia, but his deep involvement in Vatican bureaucracy makes him an uninspiring choice for many.
Parolin is not a progressive radical, but neither is he a conservative. He would likely maintain the status quo, making small reforms rather than sweeping changes.
What a Parolin Papacy Would Mean: A continuation of Vatican diplomatic entanglements, but no major doctrinal shifts.
What’s at Stake with Each Candidate?
If a progressive wins, Francis’ revolution will be cemented. Expect further doctrinal “reinterpretation,” continued attacks on traditional Catholic practices, and a Church increasingly indistinguishable from secular globalist institutions.
If a conservative wins, reforms could be reversed, traditional worship and doctrine could be restored, and the Church could once again become a firm voice against the moral decay of modernity.
The battle lines are clear. The outcome of this conclave will determine whether the Catholic Church remains true to its roots or drifts further into the ideological storms of the modern world.