The passing of Pope Francis on 21 April 2025 marks not only the end of a pontificate but also the closing of a diplomatic chapter in global affairs. As the College of Cardinals prepares to enter the conclave, the choice of the next pope carries far-reaching implications. Choosing a pontiff is not just a spiritual decision – it is a moment of geopolitical consequence.
Francis, the first pope from the Global South, redirected the Church’s attention to the world’s peripheries. He reframed climate change, migration, Indigenous rights, and social justice as moral imperatives. Through encyclicals such as Laudato Si’ and Fratelli Tutti, Francis elevated the papacy into a platform for ethical engagement with global governance.
His diplomatic style – less doctrinal, more dialogical – sought to position the Holy See as a “soft power” with global reach. He mediated conflicts, advocated for multilateralism, and gave voice to communities often sidelined in international forums. In doing so, he reshaped the Church’s posture on the world stage.
The next pope will help define the Church’s position on the world’s most urgent issues, from global inequality to war and peace, from AI ethics to climate resilience.
This legacy is embedded in the current College of Cardinals. Of the 135 electors who will enter the Sistine Chapel, nearly 80 per cent were appointed by Francis. It is the most geographically diverse group in modern Church history, with growing representation from Africa, Asia, and Latin America. This reflects the global demography of Catholicism – and sets the stage for a pivotal choice.
The Contenders: Four Directions for the Church
Cardinal Pietro Parolin (Italy) – Pope Francis’ Secretary of State, Parolin is widely regarded as one of the Church’s most seasoned diplomats. A former Apostolic Nuncio to Venezuela and Deputy Foreign Minister of the Holy See, he has played an integral role in shaping the Vatican’s foreign policy, particularly through his work on the provisional agreement with China and mediation in conflict zones. Fluent in multiple languages and respected within the Curia, Parolin combines diplomatic pragmatism with a deep understanding of ecclesiastical governance. A papacy under Parolin would likely emphasise continuity, institutional coherence, and a diplomacy grounded in realism.
Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle (Philippines) – Currently Pro-Prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization and a former Archbishop of Manila, Tagle is a dynamic voice in the Asian Church. Known for his pastoral sensitivity and media fluency, he reflects the Church’s demographic shift toward the Global South. His election would reinforce the themes of inclusion, compassion, and evangelisation in diverse cultural contexts.
Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo Besungu (Democratic Republic of Congo) – Archbishop of Kinshasa and President of the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM), Ambongo has spoken forcefully on peace, corruption, and climate justice. A Franciscan and seasoned pastor, he would bring the lived experience of African Catholics to the global stage, amplifying the voice of a continent where the Church is rapidly growing.
Cardinal Peter Turkson (Ghana) – A long-time champion of Catholic social teaching, Turkson has led key Vatican bodies including the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development. He currently serves as Chancellor of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences and the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences. A skilled communicator and advocate for climate justice, economic ethics, and peace, he has helped shape the Church’s engagement with international institutions. An African papacy under Turkson would underscore the Church’s commitment to sustainable development, human dignity, and ethical globalisation.
The Papacy as a Global Actor
In an increasingly fragmented world, the papacy remains a unique institution, as a spiritual office with geopolitical reach. The Holy See maintains relations with nearly every state and holds a permanent observer seat at the United Nations. While lacking conventional power, it exerts influence through moral authority, diplomacy, and symbolic leadership.
Francis leveraged this position to expand the Church’s diplomatic engagement, particularly in conflict resolution, environmental advocacy, and migrant protection. He reshaped Vatican diplomacy into what might be called a “diplomacy of mercy” – rooted in encounter, pastoral presence, and multilateral cooperation.
His successor will inherit not only a vast ecclesiastical structure but also a diplomatic platform with real-world consequences. The next pope will help define the Church’s position on the world’s most urgent issues, from global inequality to war and peace, from AI ethics to climate resilience.
The conclave’s choice will affect how the Church speaks to China and the West, how it interacts with Islam and Judaism, and how it engages youth, civil society, and increasingly polarised societies.
A moral global power in an unstable world
The next pope will guide 1.3 billion Catholics, but also shape the voice of one of the world’s last truly global institutions. In an age of institutional erosion and geopolitical instability, the Church remains one of few actors capable of offering a message of hope that transcends borders.
This election is not only about who leads the Church – it is about what kind of moral power the Church wishes to be. Will it continue Francis’s path of inclusive diplomacy, prophetic engagement, and focus on the margins? Or will it embrace a more traditional model of leadership, emphasising doctrinal clarity, institutional stability, and spiritual renewal? The conclave will answer that question. And the world will be listening.