<p>Pope Francis has died at 88, and speculation is already swirling around who will become the next pontiff to lead the Catholic Church.</p>
<p>Francis <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/pope-francis-dies-at-the-age-of-88?topStoryPosition=undefined&amp;author=Hank+Berrien&amp;category=News&amp;elementPosition=0&amp;row=1&amp;rowHeadline=Top+Stories&amp;rowType=Top+Stories&amp;title=Pope+Francis+Dies+At+The+Age+Of+88">died in the early hours</a> of April 21, the day after Easter. He had been hospitalized in Rome recently and was diagnosed with pneumonia in both lungs, but in recent days he had appeared in public. Francis was elected pope in March 2013 after Pope Benedict XVI made the unexpected decision to step down from the chair of Saint Peter, becoming the first pope to resign in nearly 600 years.</p>
<p>Francis&#8217; papacy often adopted a progressive tone, with the pope recently <a href="https://www.ncregister.com/cna/pope-francis-vance-clash-over-ordo-amoris" target="_blank" rel="noopener">making</a> headlines for criticizing Vice President JD Vance, a Catholic, and the Trump administration&#8217;s “program of mass deportations.”</p>
<p>However, Francis also upheld Catholic doctrine on <a href="https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/pope-doubles-down-on-abortion-in-new-years-day-message-calls-for-commitment-to-protect-life#:~:text=ROME%20(AP)%20—%20Pope%20Francis,from%20conception%20to%20natural%20death." target="_blank" rel="noopener">abortion</a>, <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/pope-says-blessings-for-individuals-in-same-sex-relationships-cannot-resemble-marriage" target="_blank" rel="noopener">gay marriage</a>, and <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/vatican-clarifies-opposition-to-radical-gender-theory-says-it-threatens-a-persons-unique-dignity" target="_blank" rel="noopener">gender ideology</a>, although critics have complained that his wording in statements on these issues is sometimes confusing. Last year, Francis <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dntdUwbIaIA" target="_blank" rel="noopener">was</a> firm with an interviewer that women would not be ordained priests.</p>
<p>Several cardinals are considered potential successors to Francis — here are just a few.</p>
<p>Cardinal Raymond Burke, 76, is one of the few potential successors from the United States.</p>
<p>From Wisconsin, Burke has been outspoken in his criticism of the Church&#8217;s more liberal language under Francis, and he has strongly supported the Latin Mass, the older form of the Mass that is popular with many conservative Catholics. Burke has also said that Catholic politicians who support legal abortion, like former President Joe Biden, should not receive the Eucharist.</p>
<p><strong>WATCH: MICHAEL KNOWLES EXPLAINS HOW THE NEXT POPE WILL BE CHOSEN</strong></p>
<p><iframe loading="lazy" title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/uwdJ2UEtFtk?si=pNa9iZBRxKHHUYZb" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe><br />
Cardinal Pietro Parolin, 70, has served as the Vatican&#8217;s Secretary of State for nearly all of Francis&#8217; papacy. The Italian cardinal has been in the Holy See&#8217;s diplomatic service since 1986, when he was in his early 30s.</p>
<p>Considered a political moderate, Parolin has played a role in many political issues, including moderating 2014 talks between Cuban and American officials, asking the United States to find an &#8220;adequate humanitarian solution&#8221; for Guantanamo Bay prisoners, and urging countries to implement the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty.</p>
<p>Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo Besungu, 65, of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, has made headlines for his conservative stances. His papacy would be considered a referendum on Francis&#8217; more progressive one.</p>
<p>However, Besungu also <a href="https://thecatholicherald.com/papabili-the-cardinals-who-have-seen-their-prospects-in-the-next-conclave-harmed-and-improved-by-recent-news-events/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">brought</a> critics and supporters of Francis together when he led African bishops in rejecting Francis&#8217; document explaining that people in same-sex relationships can be blessed, but did so with Francis&#8217; explicit blessing, which he got during an emergency trip to Rome.</p>
<p>Cardinal <span class="mw-page-title-main">Luis Antonio Tagle, 67, has been <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20151124125431/http://www.cruxnow.com/church/2015/01/15/manila-cardinal-luis-tagle-the-asian-pope-francis/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">called</a> the &#8220;Asian Pope Francis&#8221; and would likely continue Francis&#8217; more left-leaning stances.</span></p>
<p>He has defended the Church&#8217;s teachings on abortion and contraception, but he has also criticized the Church for using &#8220;harsh words&#8221; for LGBT people and divorced and remarried Catholics.</p>
<p>Cardinal Wim Eijk, 71, is also considered a conservative potential successor.</p>
<p>The former medical doctor from the Netherlands has been a sharp critic of Francis. He is one of the authors of a 2015 document opposing the pope&#8217;s approval of civil remarriages among people who have not received an annulment, <a href="https://nypost.com/2025/02/18/world-news/who-are-the-frontrunners-to-be-elected-next-pontiff-after-pope-francis/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">calling</a> them “a form of structured and institutionalized adultery.”</p>
<p>Eijk also <a href="https://www.ncregister.com/blog/cardinal-eijk-pope-francis-needed-to-give-clarity-on-intercommunion" target="_blank" rel="noopener">criticized</a> Francis for giving what he called a “completely incomprehensible” response to a German Bishops&#8217; Conference proposal on allowing Protestants to receive the Eucharist.</p>
<p>Cardinal Peter Erdö, 72, is a Hungarian cardinal who is a devout Marian as well as a former president of the Council of Bishops Conferences of Europe.</p>
<p>He has expressed conservative views, including staunchly opposing allowing divorced and remarried Catholics to receive communion. In 2015 during the European migrant crisis, he said the Church would not <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/2015/09/05/us-europe-migrants-hungary-divide-idUSKCN0R50F120150905/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">take</a> in refugees because it would be akin to human trafficking.</p>

<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<script async src="https://www.tiktok.com/embed.js"></script>
<script async src="https://www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div data-widget-host="revcontent" data-pub-id="165152" data-widget-id="290588"></div><script src="https://delivery.revcontent.com/165152/290588/widget.js"></script>

Who Could Become Pontiff After Pope Francis?

CONTINUE READING

Your Child’s School Might Still Be Pushing Transgender Ideology Despite Trump’s Orders

Trump Says MSNBC Changed Name Because It’s ‘Ashamed’

Plant-Based Beyond Meat Denies It’s Filing For Bankruptcy Amid Falling Sales

Democrats Love Citing This One Climate Change Study. Turns Out It’s All Bogus.

NYC Mayor Eric Adams Proposes Law To Involuntarily Commit Drug Addicts

The Feds Took Over The DC Police In The 90s, Too. Here’s How That Went.

News and Analysis

Catholic

Catholic Church

Catholicism

Pope Francis

Religion

Rome

The Vatican

Vatican

A video goes viral showing a baby being refused his mother by two gay "dads". This is just the tip of the iceberg, which is why we will have an important discussion today about surrogacy. 

Hour 1

The Matt Walsh Show

Ep. 1765 - This Video Is One Of The Worst Things I've Seen In A Long Time 

The Strait of Hormuz officially opens for business (kind of), the Pope makes “shocking” comments on immigration, and President Trump promises UFO disclosure at TPUSA. 


The Michael Knowles Show

Ep. 1956 -  Pope Leo's "SHOCKING" Immigration Comments EXPLAINED

A false miscreed has corrupted our leadership class.


The Andrew Klavan Show

Ep. 1275 - Dumb, Dumber and Progressive

President Trump announces a 10-day ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel, a murder-suicide involving former Democratic Lieutenant Governor Justin Fairfax shakes Virginia, and France and Britain hold a conference to secure the Strait of Hormuz – after the Iranian conflict ends. Get the facts first with Morning Wire.

- - -

Ep. 2738

- - -

Wake up with new Morning Wire merch: https://bit.ly/4lIubt3

- - -

Today's Sponsors:

Alliance Defending Freedom - Visit https://JoinADF.com/WIRE or text 'WIRE' to 83848 to learn more.

Pocket Hose - Text MORNING to 64000 to get a FREE pocket pivot and their 10-pattern sprayer with the purchase of ANY size Copper Head hose. Message and data rates may apply.

Morning Wire

U.S. Expands Hormuz Blockade & VA Fairfax Deaths Investigated | 4.17.26

U.S. Expands Hormuz Blockade & VA Fairfax Deaths Investigated | 4.17.26 [Member Exclusive]

A ceasefire goes into effect between Israel and Lebanon, a tragic murder-suicide rocks Virginia, and Dairy Queen deploys AI in the drive-thru. Get the facts first with Evening Wire.
- - -
Ep. 2737
- - -
Wake up with new Morning Wire merch: https://bit.ly/4lIubt3 
- - -
Today’s Sponsor:

Alliance Defending Freedom - Visit https://JoinADF.com/WIRE or text “WIRE” to 83848 to learn more.


Evening Wire: Lebanon Ceasefire Begins & Murder-Suicide Rocks VA | 4.16.26

The Pendragon Cycle

Menu

— News and Analysis —

Who Could Become Pontiff After Pope Francis?