Online Reporter
Mukudzei Chingwere at the Vatican City in Rome, Italy
The Roman Catholic Church, last Saturday, officially entered the “Sede Vacante” phase following the burial of Pope Francis, who succumbed to a stroke and irreversible cardiovascular collapse at the age of 88.
“Sede Vacante” is a stage in which the College of Cardinals assumes temporary leadership as the church fulfils steps towards electing a new pope, culminating in the burning of ballots, emitting white smoke to signal the arrival of a new sheriff in town.
As the world and approximately over a million Catholics from Zimbabwe await the white smoke from one of the Christian movement’s most iconic and revered sites, St Peter’s Basilica here at the Vatican, a veil of secrecy and speculation on who will occupy the Papal office has engulfed the church.
To assume the sacred Papal office, a candidate must be a member of the 252-member strong college of cardinals and must get two thirds majority vote from 135 eligible voters as only those under the age of 80 are allowed to vote.
With the world Press maintaining a permanent eagle eye on the Vatican, not any of these newsmen appear to have a scoop on who the next head of this church with a global membership of over one billion is.
“You can never know who comes in next because the cardinals swear to secrecy on all papal conclave activities,” a seasoned journalist who has been writing on Vatican affairs for over 30 years told Zimpapers.
“Anybody who breaks tradition and chooses to give you the likely winner is essentially speculating and misdirecting you because they only know who they want in office but have no way of knowing who the other cardinals want in the.
“Over the years of covering the Vatican, we have always learnt to wait for the white smoke from St Peter’s and the ‘Habemus Pepam’ which is essentially the formal declaration of a new Pope at the Basilica’s balcony,” he said.
In the absence of insider information due to the oath of conclave secrecy, speculation is informed on the general qualities expected of a Pope.
With the distinct primary role to build and maintain the body of Christ and to shape the church’s teachings, a prospective candidate is expected to be of a high pastoral background. However, this is a quality almost all cardinals boast of.
Of note, is the fact that the Vatican City (the seat of catholic authority) is considered a sovereign and autonomous state with its own government and diplomatic relations with over 180 countries.
Such a dispensation dictates that the Pope should be a person of very high diplomatic acumen capable of handling delicate and complex diplomatic situations in the process of spreading the church’s global teachings and general global outreach.
Italian priest, Pietro Parolin, who is currently Secretary of State at the Vatican and was Pope Francis’ top aid, is a clear “continuity candidate” and not many are willing to vouch against his ascendancy.
At age 70, cardinal Parolin has overseen the Vatican’s diplomatic brief since 2013 when he became the youngest Vatican City Secretary of State since 1929 at age 58 and boasts of over 30 years’ experience in the diplomatic mission.
With 17 members in the college of cardinals, his country of origin – Italy- also has the highest membership in the all-important body, but nationalities have no history of playing any significant role in the papacy.
For all his present influence in the church and his likely chairmanship of proceedings to choose the next Pope, Cardinal Parolin’s pastoral resume isn’t as impressive, yet it’s a key element.
As Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Parolin has acknowledged the demanding nature of his workload, stating it’s a “gruelling” job.
His acknowledgement of the heavy responsibilities associated with his current position might raise doubts about his desire to take on the papacy, suggesting he may prefer to focus on his existing duties.
Another firm contender is Cardinal Luis Antonio Gokim Tagle who stands out as a Jesuit and a close ally of Pope Francis.
Born in Czechoslovakia and raised in Canada, he has dedicated his life to humanitarian efforts across Latin America and Africa, notably founding the African Jesuit Aids Network.
His progressive views resonate with many, but the prospect of electing another Jesuit pope may deter his supporters.
Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo Besungu, hailing from the Democratic Republic of Congo, emerges as a strong contender from Africa, a region where the Church is rapidly growing.
As Archbishop of Kinshasa, he is a cultural conservative who opposes same-sex marriage.
Despite facing persecution of Christians in his homeland, he advocates for religious plurality, which might raise questions among cardinals about his broader mission
Another African contender is Cardinal Peter Kodwo Appiah Turkson, at 76, has the potential to make history as the first African pope in 1 500 years.
Known for his reluctance to pursue the papacy, he believes selection shouldn’t hinge on statistics.
A former favourite in 2013, he balances energetic charisma with conservative views, although he has spoken out against criminalising homosexuality in Ghana, showing a nuanced approach to contemporary issues. This controversial stance makes him unpopular.
Cardinal Peter Erdo, 72, is highly regarded in European circles, has led significant Church initiatives and is seen as a compromise candidate.
With a background steeped in Catholic tradition under communism, he has navigated Hungary’s political landscape and maintained conservative views, particularly on family matters.
His involvement in Pope Francis’s visits to Hungary adds to his profile, but his stance on migration has sparked debate.
Cardinal Angelo Scola, though 83 and unable to vote, Cardinal Scola remains a notable figure due to a new book on aging that has garnered attention.
Once a frontrunner during the last conclave, he may be viewed as more reflective than forward-looking, especially as the cardinals seek a leader to guide them into the future, rather than dwell on the past.
Could Cardinal Robert Prevost, 69, be the first American pope? With a strong background in missionary work and leadership within the Vatican, he has the qualities many seek.
However, his past as Archbishop in Peru, coupled with allegations related to abuse cover-ups, may cloud his reputation. At 69, some may see him as too young for the papacy, despite his reformist credentials.
A youthful 60, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa has a unique perspective shaped by his long residency in Jerusalem, where he serves as Latin Patriarch.
His deep understanding of the region’s complexities makes him a compelling candidate. However, his relative inexperience as a cardinal and close ties to Pope Francis may position him unfavorably among those desiring a shift from the current direction.
Speaking to this publication, Zimbabwe Catholic Bishops’ Conference secretary-general Father Tryvis Moyo counselled the flock not to be laboured with comparisons between Pope Francis and who will replace him.
He said each servant of God was called to fulfil their own specific calling.
Fr Moyo said instead, the church should be seized with prayers to God so that at the end of the day the selection process will yield the best man for the job.
He said the process is already underway and a new Pope could be in office within the next fortnight.
“What I am already hearing from the people is: will the candidate pursue what Pope Francis was doing? I think when we do that, we are putting pressure on someone who is to come,” said Fr Moyo.
“God has always worked through personalities, and personality also counts for the one who will be elected.
“What will remain constant are the fundamental beliefs that we have. All we can do now, as the Church in Zimbabwe, is to accompany those gathering for the election with our prayers, trusting that God will provide us with a good shepherd. Whether the shepherd will be like Pope Francis is another matter, but we will be given a shepherd.”
