In my previous post, I reviewed the following Cardinals as being UNLIKELY candidates for Pope:
Erdo, 72, primate of Hungary
Marx, 71, Germany
Ouellet, 80, Canada
Parolin, 70, Italy
Prevost, 69,United States
Schoenborn, 80, Austria
Tagle, 67, Philippines
Zuppi, 69, Italy
Then, so far, I have only Cardinal Sarah as papabile. This post will consider further candidates for Pope, including those listed by this CNN article
Turkson, 76, Ghana (Peter Kodwo Appiah Turkson)
— Papabile, a likely contender for the next Pope. Turkson is in the right age range, not so young that he might lead for a quarter century like JP2, and not so old that he would be weakened by age. Many Cardinals would like to elect a pope from a region other than Europe, as the Church is global. Africa is a much more conservative region for Catholicism than Europe, Canada, or the U.S. Some Cardinals, even those considered liberal, might prefer a somewhat more conservative Cardinal for the next Pope, to correct some of Francis’ ambiguities and liberal disciplines.
Besungu, 65, DR Congo (Fridolin Ambongo Besungu)
— Papabile, but not one of the most likely choices. He is on the young side, and Cardinals tend to prefer an older Pope. He is relatively conservative, refusing to do same-sex blessings. But otherwise supported Pope Francis. He is a prelate from a very poor nation with many political and economic problems. I’m not sure how that might affect the voting. The Cardinals would like to choose a Pope from Africa, so he will be considered by the Cardinal-electors as a possibility.
Czerny, 78, Canada (Michael Czerny)
— like Francis, Czerny is a Jesuit. He was in charge of the controversial issue of migration for the Vatican. He would be a liberal choice, but I think the Cardinals would prefer someone who will bring the Church back towards the center or right, from the left. It also seems unlikely to me that the Cardinals would choose another Jesuit. They currently have a reputation for being very liberal.
Chow, 65, Hong Kong (Stephen Chow)
— never going to happen. China has political and economic conflicts with the Western world, and currently supports Russia in the Ukraine war. In addition, a Pope from Hong Kong would frighten the Chinese Communist Party leadership into thinking that Chinese Catholics might be led by the Pope instead of by the Party. This could very possibly lead to a large scale persecution of Chinese Catholics.
David, 66, Philippines (Pablo Virgilio Siongco David)
— He is too young to become Pope. Also, the Philippines is currently in a conflict between China and the United States over power in the Asia Pacific region. The Cardinals do not want to insert the Church into a geopolitical conflict.
Grech, 68, Malta (Mario Grech)
— He is too closely associated with the failed synodal Church effort. Also, the Cardinals will be inclined to choose a non-European Pope, as they did with Francis.
Hollerich, 66, Luxembourg (Jean-Claude Hollerich)
— Never. He is more liberal than Francis, willing to consider women’s ordination, and also he plainly stated a rejection of Church teaching on same-sex relationships. Wikipedia says: “In 2022, Hollerich said he considered the church’s teaching that homosexual relationships are sinful to be wrong: ‘I believe that the sociological-scientific foundation of this teaching is no longer correct.'[18] In response, an anonymous memo later revealed to have been authored by Cardinal George Pell referred to Hollerich as ‘explicitly heretical.'[19]”
Kikuchi, 66, Japan (Tarcisius Isao Kikuchi)
— No. Choosing a Japanese Pope would create a major conflict between the Pope and Church versus the Chinese government. Japan and China do not get along. Do the Cardinals want to start a major persecution of Catholics in China? No, they do not.
Lacroix, 67, Primate of Canada (Gerald Cyprien Lacroix)
— No. He is too closely associated with the group of Western nations that have much economic and political power. The Cardinals would prefer a Pope from a “third world” nation or region. Also, Canada has a reputation for being a liberal region in the Church, whereas the Cardinals might prefer a more conservative or at least centrist Pope.
Pizzaballa, 60, Italy (Pierbattista Pizzaballa), patriarch of Jerusalem
— No. The Cardinals would prefer a non-Italian Pope. Also, he is too young, such that he might have too long a reign as Pope. His verbal interventions in the Gaza war might make him too controversial a choice, if the Cardinals are seeking a more temperate leader, someone who is less involved in politics.
Romero, 72, Spain (Cristobal Lopez Romero)
— I doubt he would be a top candidate for Pope. He is assigned to a diocese in Morocco, so he would be a white European chosen from Africa to be Pope. That would raise some eyebrows. The Cardinals would prefer that if a Pope were chosen from Africa, he would be black, not white European (Spanish).
Spengler, 64, Brazil (Jaime Spengler)
— He is too young. Also, he would be the second Pope in a row to be chosen from South America, which is unlikely. Also, he was only made a Cardinal in December of 2024, so he is too new as a Cardinal and perhaps not so well known to the other Cardinals.
Tobin, 72, United States (Joseph Tobin)
— Tobin was “one of the prelates whose promotion was backed by McCarrick” [LifeSiteNews]. He is considered to be very liberal. Also, the Cardinals will not choose a Pope from the United States. They wish to avoid associating the Church with the geopolitical controversies of U.S. politics.
So there you have it. I think Cardinal Sarah and Cardinal Turkson are the most likely candidates to be the next Pope. But you never know what the Holy Spirit has in mind for the Church.
RLCJ
the reproach of Christ 
Let break down the words of cardinal Muller, because it is very important. He said as quoted by the Catholic herald, that The Catholic Church risks a schism if it does not choose an “orthodox” leader. He said that “the question is not between conservatives and liberals but between orthodoxy and heresy”, adding: “I am praying that the Holy Spirit will illuminate the cardinals, because a heretic pope who changes every day depending on what the mass media is saying would be catastrophic.”
On first view, great, what better to choose an “orthodox” and not a “heretic pope”, will say a traditionalist who wants to hear such words in first place. However, the way Muller articulated these words, including mentioning the possibility of a “heretical pope” to be elected by a valid conclave, puts him into schism. It also means that the reform of pope Francis is a heresy for him, more or less, and he is against any candidate who would continue this reform regardless if he is elected with a canonical majority. Also, the use of the word “orthodoxy” raises brows. Does Muller envision a union with the Russian orthodox church for example, if he has to flee the Catholic Church under a “heretic pope”?
In 2019 card. Muller has publicly declared that he will not accept any teaching of a Pope or Ecumenical Council, not even an ex cathedra (infallible) papal teaching, if it is contrary to his own theological opinion on whether women can be ordained as deacons. This declaration has led some to believe that Cardinal Müller is in a state of public formal schism and automatically excommunicated. However the Vatican did not rule that, unlike the case with archbishop Vigano who was excommunicated for repeated rejection of pope Francis, but still invited to restore communion.
I suggest, after the open ultimatum of a schism if his will is not done, and calling in advance a future elected liberal pope to be a “heretical pope” even without knowing his name, cardinal Muller should either resign his right to vote or that right to be suspended by the Sacred College. Obviously, card. Muller is not one of those who seek a uniting figure as the next pope, rather the one who imposes ultimatums on the sacred procedure of the conclave. Then let just elect him to be pope maybe, so we have the former head of CDF to be infallible? It is just absurd. That will Never be accepted by the vast majority of Catholics.
Let also remember that Muller wanted to ban Medjugorje in the first years of pope Francis while he still held the position of head of CDF. It didn’t go well for him, not because of Medjugorje but because pope Francis fired him for other disobediences. Now Muller is not shy to call all of that a heresy thinking that what pope Francis has done together with many cardinals and bishops is just gone in the tomb. And while the women deacons is a debated issue and may never be approved by any pope liberal or conservative, Muller overstepped his authority again, positioning himself now above the conclave as then above the council and infallibility of the pope. It can’t just go unnoticed. The veto power of emperor was removed by St Pius X. We don’t need a self-styled inquisitor to impose a new veto power on the conclave in 21st century.
From my point of view, whether the progressives are from a political or spiritual institution, they all make the same mistakes. The progressives have been pushing their ideology for the past 60 plus years. At first, they start very slowly, then they increase their rhetoric each subsequent decade. When the progressives think the timing is right they make bold and irresponsible statements like “End of Democracy” or “Church Schism”.
Whomever Cardinal Muller is pushing to be the next pope, I pray that cardinal does not get elected.
One thing the new pope could do is to give new powers to the cardinals to oversee the work of the bishops and to suggest removal/early retirement of any bishop who misuses finances, rejects good people from priesthood, favors relatives (yes there are such), etc. Together with increasing the number of cardinals to 200-300 or even more, including lay men as in the past centuries. That together with increasing voting rights for next conclave to all archbishops. The bishops should not feel threatened, they should know they are rewarded for good pastoral work. But the current situation with unchangeable bishops who account to no one but God is just a no go. When you send a complaint to the Vatican it is sent back to the bishop for a possible reprisal. What is the difference from the communist system then?
Another thing that the future pope could do is to deepen the reflection on Laudato Si and include top scientists and even top companies in practically resolving environmental issues. It is not the work of the pope, his work is to save souls…but not on a desolated planet by rising tides or nuclear wasteland.
Practical steps for world peace, not just reacting from St Peter’s balcony when the conflict is already raging for weeks or years. The last two popes suggested a supranational authority (maybe under the UN) that will control the multinational corporations for the common good.
List is long. These are just few suggestions. The point is, we need a new Leo the Great, a new Gregory the Great, not just a conservative or a liberal or a “moderate who follows the reform of Francis”. Or…we flee underground in the spiritual desert for 3.5 years until God fixes the things Himself with His Holy Angels. Let not the cardinals challenge God’s patience and mercy. He is already offended too much and the cup overflows, say numerous apparitions from everywhere. People are crying to God from everywhere day and night from rich and poor countries alike. It may sound dramatic but we know well it is true because many of us are among these people.
‘And they cried with a loud voice, saying, “How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?” ‘ Revelation 6:10