Overview

• Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican Secretary of State for 12 years, is widely seen as the leading candidate to succeed Pope Francis.
• The conclave, convened after Pope Francis's death on April 21, began voting on May 7 but has yet to select a new pope.
• Parolin's pragmatic diplomacy and administrative experience have earned him broad recognition among the cardinal electors.
• Criticism of Parolin's record includes the 2018 Vatican-China agreement and a $140 million loss in a London property deal under his oversight.
• The new pope will face pressing global challenges, including climate change, migration, and internal Church reform, requiring both moral and diplomatic leadership.