MANY Malaysians especially Catholics and Christians are having their fingers crossed as to who could be the next Pope, whose election is taking place now in the papal conclave in the Vatican.
With the passing of Pope Francis there is much anticipation in Asia and particularly in the Philippines that Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle stands a strong chance of becoming the next Pope.
From Africa the hot favourites are Cardinal Peter Turkson, Cardinal Robert Sarah and Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo Besungu. India has four Cardinals but two are over-aged as the cut-off age to be a Cardinal-elector is 80 years old.
Throughout the almost 2000 year papal history only Caucasian (White) Popes have been elected to the Holy See.
Catholics in Asia and Africa hope that the next Pope will hail from their continent and that this glaring racial shortcoming, if not discrimination, will be rectified this time around with the election of the first African or Asian Pope.
Asia and Africa combined have about 41 cardinals who will elect the replacement for Pope Francis. An Asian or African Pope will hopefully be able to empathise more with Third World sentiments as it is in these countries that Catholicism is growing fast and also where progressive solutions for religious, socio-economic and political have to be found.
The Catholic Church has over the decades faced various issues and controversies, some of which it has conveniently swept under the carpet. A new Pope with both conservative and contemporary leanings should overcome these contentious issues with progressive policies.
Malaysia’s Cardinal Datuk Seri Sebastian Francis is one of the electors voting for the next Pope.
If this time an African or Asian Pope is not elected despite high popular expectations, then the possibility of having a rotational system whereby all continents will get an equal chance should be implemented in the future.
With a total of 135 Cardinal-electors allowed to vote for the next Pope the present elective system is very much skewed in favour of Europe and the Americas.
Italy alone accounts for 16 Cardinals and many of the Italian Cardinals are very powerful and influential in the Vatican, and this is the main reason why only White Popes are elected and the prospect of a non-White Pope remains elusive.
Even this time Italian Cardinal Pietro Parolin is a very much touted the favourite for election as Pope. There are also 117 over-aged Cardinals (above 80) who cannot vote but collectively as part of the College Of Cardinals they are an entrenched orthodox and conservative group that prefers the status quo and are resistant to change and reform.
The Pope is no more just the head of the Catholics but is now regarded as having the power of a head of a major government or state.
With the power and clout of the United Nations (UN) especially under the present secretary- general António Guterres in decline, the Pope as the representative of a quarter of humanity will be looked upon by nations and the people to exercise his enormous goodwill to influence decisions for the common good.
With the start of the Russia-Ukrainian conflict a new multi-polar world order has begun to emerge, which allows for more nations and institutions to have a major voice in international affairs.
This new situation has also enhanced the power and intervention of the Pope to influence events.
The Pope together with other Christian leaders representing the various denomination—as well as other world religions—can be a transformative force for good in a world increasingly facing numerous crises.
The Christian leaders needs to take the lead to help address some of these issues and not cocoon themselves in isolation, tokenism and religious conservatism.
The world faces a wide range of problems possibly unlike before in its history, and religious leaders should work in tandem with political leaders and global institutions to resolve issues.
A new pope with a transformative vision and mission is what the world, not only Catholics, anticipates.
The first act of change and transformation heralding from the Vatican should be the election of an Asian or African Pope who could empower Christendom to be an exemplary beacon for good which Jesus Christ during his lifetime showed to mankind. – April 29, 2025
V. Thomas is a Focus Malaysia viewer.
The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia.
Main image: Getty Images
