On May 7, a conclave will commence, during which 134 cardinals will elect a new Pope. The day before the conclave, the cardinals will engage in discussions about the responsibilities of the Church and have already identified several favorites among the candidates for the papacy. This information was shared by Archbishop Visvaldas Kulbokas, the Apostolic Nuncio in Ukraine, during an interview on Ukrainian Radio.
“Today, we need a more organized and systematic leader. That is why many people think of Cardinal Parolin, as he is very systematic,” said the Nuncio.
When asked by Ukrainian Radio what qualities the new pope should possess, Visvaldas Kulbokas responded:
“In our times, there is a significant lack of moral authority. This issue is not limited to Ukraine and Russian aggression; it affects us all. We need a unifying moral authority, someone of principle who can serve as that moral compass. The Pope must not only represent the Catholic Church but also engage in dialogue with Orthodox, Protestant, and other religious communities, acting as their representative as well. Pope Francis initiated many processes within the Church, and there is a need for more systematic work in these areas. While we always benefit from having charismatic leaders like Pope Francis, today we require someone who is more organized and systematic. This is why many people view Cardinal Parolin as a strong candidate; he is known for his systematic approach. Another important quality for the new pope is the ability to unify. The pope must be able to maintain the unity of the Church, bridging the different perspectives of bishops from regions such as Germany, Africa, or Ukraine, who may have varying views on how to communicate the Gospel in moral terms. In Western countries, there are frequent debates about issues like blessing same-sex marriages, whereas in Africa, those discussions are virtually nonexistent. The future Pope must be capable of navigating and working with both sides of the Church.”
Regarding the candidacy of Cardinal Parolin, who is considered one of the leading candidates to succeed the Pope, the nuncio commented:
“Such speculations often emerge from journalists, and they frequently align with reality. Journalists gather information and engage with cardinals to identify who holds the most influence among the potential candidates.”