Reflecting on Pope Francis’s Unique Footprints

He left a lasting impression, much like the rich aroma of coffee. Pope Francis captivated the hearts of people worldwide with his ‘simple leadership’ characterized by a steel cross and black shoes. 🥾 Living in a guesthouse for ordinary priests, he earned the nickname ‘Pope of the Poor.’ In fact, when I visited the Vatican in 2019, I was deeply impressed by his modest quarters!

According to statistics from the Vatican, the number of Catholics increased by 12% during his papacy, and Vatican News has rated him as “the most progressive pope in history.” However, it is regrettable that he had to cancel 40% of his official engagements in the last two years due to health issues. 😔

What is a Conclave? The Secretive Process of Electing a Pope 🗝️

A scene more dramatic than in the movies unfolds! Conclave, which means ‘locked with keys’ in Latin, involves Cardinals voting in isolation in the Sistine Chapel. 🔒 Interestingly, after each vote, once the counting is done, all ballots are burned to signal the outcome with smoke color! If white smoke appears, a new pope has been elected.

To summarize the procedures:

• ✅ Step 1: Gather 135 Cardinals under the age of 80 from around the world
• ✅ Step 2: Conduct voting four times a day (a two-thirds majority is needed)
• ✅ Step 3: Announce the winner → Proclaim “Habemus Papam!”

The last conclave in 2013 lasted for a remarkable 5 days with 5 votes, and it will be interesting to see what records this time will produce. According to BBC reports, it typically takes 3 to 7 days.

Top 3 Candidates for the Next Pope, Keep an Eye on Them!

Based on insider information from the Vatican, three candidates are currently considered strong contenders:

1. Pietro Parolin (61, Secretary of State of the Vatican)
Known as the “right arm of the Pope,” he has been a significant figure! He has been a diplomat for 30 years and led historic agreements with China. It’s unusual for someone his age to have become a Cardinal. However, his conservative leanings may lead to mixed reactions from progressive believers. 👔

2. Luis Ladaria (75, Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith)
He is referred to as a living encyclopedia of church law. His moderate stance on controversial topics like LGBTQ+ issues suggests he could serve as a ‘balancer.’ However, his older age raises concerns about the potential for a short tenure. ⚖️

3. Aurelio Poli (58, Archbishop of Buenos Aires, Argentina)
True to the legacy of Pope Francis, he is known for his progressive views. He actively addresses climate change and is famous for his poverty relief efforts. Whether a South American can become pope again is the big question! 🌎

Will a Korean Cardinal Participate? The Potential of Asia 🌏

In South Korea, Cardinal Yoo Heung-sik (72) will exercise his voting rights! A priest I met mentioned, “The possibility of a pope emerging from Asia is only about 20%.” In fact, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Korea reported that Asian Cardinals make up only 9% of the total. 😅

However, the hopeful news is that the number of Cardinals from Africa and Asia has doubled since 2000! Particularly, since a Filipino Cardinal once declined the papacy, there are speculations that he may be eyeing another opportunity. Do you think an Asian pope could come into being?

What the New Pope Will Change: Predictions for the Future of Catholicism

Experts have shared their views on what changes may arise as the new pope carries on the baton of reforms from Pope Francis:

• 📱 Expansion of Digital Evangelism: Online masses are expected to become commonplace
• ✝️ Strengthening Women’s Roles: Active discussions about appointing women deacons are on the rise
• 🌱 Environmental Issues: A declaration to stop investing in fossil fuels is anticipated

A representative from the Vatican Observatory stated, “The social role of the church has changed since COVID,” and indicated through the official website that a 40% structural reform might occur by 2030. What transformations await us? 🚀