On April 21, Pope Francis died at the age of 88 in his residence at Casa Santa Marta. The first Latin American pope was known for his humble life and accepting heart, which made people around him cherish him. Respectfully known as “the people’s pope,” over 250,000 people went to the Vatican to pay their last respects at his public viewing.
Professor Dan Clanton, from the Philosophy and Religious Studies department, sat down to reflect on the Pope’s significance and discuss the papal conclave. When reflecting on the Pope’s legacy, Clanton referred to the Pope’s character, recognizing that he was “concerned about the poor, marginalized, and oppressed; he made that a focus of his papacy,” Clanton said.
This raises the question of whether the next pope will continue the emphasis on the poor and marginalized. It sparks curiosity about what the next pope will be like and what challenges they will face. The pope has a unique ability to bring some clarity and peace. However, they can’t fix everything; they can be a voice in a climate of war, political divisiveness and economic downturns.
It is a unique time for the College of Cardinals, as it represents 90 countries, making it the most diverse college in its history. “The next pope, granted all the diversity, faces some unusual challenges, but has resources in diversity… The next pope can address those issues of political divisions and polarization by having different perspectives.” Clanton said.
Before voting begins, there are General Congregations, essentially meet-and-greet sessions for the cardinals since they don’t know each other. “People start to feel each other out,” Clanton said. They ask specific questions on certain issues, such as political beliefs and doctrine.
“A conclave is a very ritualized process,” Clanton added. From Latin meaning “a closed room,” it dates back to the 13th century. To avoid external pressure, this process is kept secret. Today, cardinals are checked to ensure they have no recording devices to maintain the secrecy of the process.
Only 135 cardinals are eligible to vote, and they are not permitted to vote for themselves. To be elected, a candidate must receive a two-thirds majority, which means the conclave can sometimes take two to three days to choose a new pope. Even after the election, the selected candidate has the right to refuse. Each day, there are two rounds of voting, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. Between voting sessions, the cardinals practice prayerful discernment—a process designed to guide them in choosing the pope the Church needs, rather than simply following their values. During these intervals, they also discuss potential candidates.
It’s impossible to know who the next pope will be, but there are many ideas about who might be chosen. Luis Antonio Tagle from the Philippines would be able to continue the progressive views Pope Francis had. Peter Turkson, from Ghana, is known for his work in social justice. “Imagine having an African Pope,” Clanton said. “It would be an incredible validation of the success of the Church in Africa.”
New challenges will be faced. They will also be a part of the long, rich legacy that has shaped the Catholic Church.
