Franciszek's man, best in views. Rather after seventy. “Italian”, though not necessarily from Italy. A diplomat who speaks English. Who will become the Pope? We asked experts.
Key facts:
- Francis influenced the choice of his successor by who he appointed the cardinal.
- Will his successor be a “transition pope”?
- How decisive will Italian appetites be?
- This is the first conclave in the world of fake news.
– It is necessary to realize that Francis appointed 110 out of 135 cardinals who will choose the pope, so I think you can be sure that the next church leader will not represent a significantly different line, but rather will be a continuator of Francis – he tells us Maria Rościszewska, editor -in -chief of the contact magazinethe Catholic Left magazine.
According to Edward Augustyn from “Tygodnik Powszechny” It seems impossible for someone who was not nominated by Francis. – The most likely to continue – says the head of the religious department at “Tygodnik”.
This may mean that he will be replaced by one of his colleagues, someone “close to his spirit”. – I think about cardinals who have a wider view of the Church, in the sense that they are not only associated with the look of one country or one cultural circle. Such cardinals appeared much more thanks to Francis – says Fr. Kazimierz Sowa, journalist, publicist, former director of religion.tv.
Source: PAP/EPA/Vatican Media Handout
Franciszek's nominee, but or a continuator
The fact that most of the cardinals-electors have been appointed by Francis does not mean that they will implement his line in Vatican – notes Journalist and writer Szymon Żyśkoadding that participation in the selection of a successor is not the only criterion taken into account by the Pope in cardinal nominations. – Cardinal purple is not always an expression of trust, but an official statement of certain competences and usability in the Roman Curia – says the reporter “Black and white on white” TVN24.