Between continuity and change: The Catholic church faces the election of the 267th Pope

Written for Kosovo Online by Zeljko Sajn

In the solemn silence of the Vatican, Pope Francis, the 266th head of the Catholic Church, has been laid to rest. On his modest grave, simply and dignifiedly, the Latin name Franciscus is inscribed, thus forever dispelling doubts about the form of his name – whether Franja or Franjo. This symbolically marks the end of one epoch, as the Church turns a new page, beginning preparations for the conclave that will elect the 267th pope.

During his pontificate, Pope Francis appointed about 80 percent of the current College of Cardinals, which now consists of more than 120 cardinals from 94 countries. Among them is Cardinal Ladislav Nemet from Serbia, as well as many cardinals from countries where Catholics are a minority. This raises the question of how well they know one another and how easily they can reach a consensus on the election of the new pope.

It appears that the election of the new head of the Catholic Church could be one of the most uncertain yet. The next pope could come from Africa, North America, or the Philippines, given that cardinals from these regions, alongside Europeans, are widely known. However, among the favorites in this historic moment, the name of Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican's Secretary of State, stands out. He is deeply familiar with the functioning of the Holy See, the Vatican as a state, and the mechanisms of the Catholic Church. Moreover, he was a close collaborator of Pope Francis, who personally appointed him as Secretary of State, making him one of the most serious contenders at this historical juncture.

Born in 1955 in Italy’s Veneto region, Parolin pursued theological studies in Venice before earning a doctorate in Canon Law in Rome. He entered the Holy See's diplomatic service early, serving in embassies in Nigeria and Mexico, before later being appointed Apostolic Nuncio to Venezuela. His experiences in politically challenging environments shaped him into a skilled negotiator and conflict mediator. His name is also familiar to Serbian citizens thanks to Politika, which conducted an exclusive interview with him in 2019, providing a rare insight into the heart of the Catholic Church in the Vatican.

As Vatican Secretary of State, Parolin served during an era of global challenges: conflicts, climate change, migration, and declining trust in international institutions. His work has been particularly marked by efforts to preserve the Church’s presence in regions where Christianity is increasingly endangered, such as the Middle East and Africa. Furthermore, amid deepening global divisions, the Holy See’s diplomacy under Parolin reaffirmed its identity as a bridge between ideals and reality—where words of peace, human dignity, and rights served as a foundation, and political mediation as a path to their realization.

Speaking to Politika in 2019, Cardinal Parolin clearly articulated his vision of the Church and the world, emphasizing the complexity of international relations after the Cold War. "I would say that we are still far from achieving a new, positive, and sustainable international order," Parolin noted, adding that the world in recent years has been marked by confusing scenarios of violence, hunger, migration, and terrorism—an assessment that remains valid today. In an era he called, citing the Pope, a "third world war fought piecemeal," Parolin stressed that the Church must not remain silent: "The Church is a fraternity that welcomes everyone, where everyone has equal dignity."

Sadly, his predictions have come true. Wars in Europe and the Middle East have further destabilized the world, increasing fears of global conflict and the potential use of nuclear weapons. Parolin’s philosophy of brotherhood and equality has remained the cornerstone of his work at the Holy See, aligned with Pope Francis’s vision, about whom he spoke with deep reverence and respect in the interview.

When speaking about the Balkans, Parolin pointed to the heavy legacy of wars and tensions: "Unfortunately, the Balkans remain a region where tensions prevail, and the dramatic memories of both distant and recent past have not fully faded." For true reconciliation, he said, "a purification of memory" is necessary, along with an acknowledgment of truth, and a rejection of both apologetics and unjustified accusations. According to him, religious communities share the common task of building bridges, promoting dialogue, and acting as drivers of true peace.

During his visit to Serbia in 2024, at the ceremony marking the 325th anniversary of the Treaty of Karlowitz, Parolin delivered a powerful message at the symbolic site of the Chapel of Peace in Sremski Karlovci:

"We, representatives of different religious communities and civil authorities, have gathered to awaken our desire for peace and firmly proclaim: ‘Never again war! Never again war in this land [Serbia], nor in the world!’"

In any case, the election of a new pope represents a pivotal moment for the future of the Catholic Church and its direction. Considering that the pontificate of Pope Francis was marked by efforts to open the Church to modern issues, social justice, ecological challenges, and greater inclusivity, his successor will face a difficult decision: whether to continue along his path or to return to the roots of a more traditional approach. It is also possible that the new leader will slightly shift the direction to the right—showing less openness on certain issues while still continuing the spirit of reform from the previous pontificate—in an attempt to balance perspectives and maintain unity within the Church, particularly in light of increasingly sharp criticism emerging from Catholic circles in Germany, where some theologians and bishops are openly resisting a return to more conservative values, warning even of the possibility of schism, as reported by foreign media.

Additionally, the new pope will confront profound challenges posed by secularization and the "protestantization" of believers in Germany and Western European countries, which are seriously undermining the influence of the Catholic Church in traditionally strong bastions of faith. In contrast, the significance of the Church is growing in Africa, Asia, and Latin America, where the majority of today’s Catholics live—believers who tend to lean more toward tradition and less toward the liberal interpretations of faith characteristic of Europe.

Given that discussions among cardinals about possible successors had already begun during Pope Francis's illness, it is widely believed that the contours of the choice have already been partially shaped. This opens the possibility that the election of the new pope could occur very quickly. Whoever is chosen, however, will have to respond to challenges that are profoundly reshaping the face of the modern Church.