Next pope must unify deeply divided Church, say Vatican experts

VATICAN CITY / ISTANBUL

With the Catholic Church preparing for its next papal conclave on Wednesday, Vatican analysts say cardinals are under pressure to elect a pope capable of bridging the growing divide between reformist and conservative wings of the Church.

The mourning period for Pope Francis, who died on April 21, ended on May 4. All eyes are now on the College of Cardinals, who will gather in the Sistine Chapel on May 7 to elect the next pope.

“This is a particularly dramatic conclave,” Italian journalist and author Marco Politi told Anadolu. “The Church has never been as divided as it is now in the last 50 years.”

Politi said that Pope Francis’ reformist papacy, marked by outreach to marginalized communities and a push for transparency and accountability, faced persistent resistance from ultra-conservative factions. In his final public message before his death, Francis acknowledged these tensions and urged unity.

Politi said that after a decade of internal pushback, the next pontiff must be someone who can “bring unity,” though he cautioned that cardinals — particularly those from outside Europe — often lack strong personal ties, complicating consensus.

Names mentioned in Vatican circles include Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Patriarch Pierbattista Pizzaballa, and Cardinal Matteo Maria Zuppi, among others. Politi noted that before any decision is made, cardinals must first agree on the themes and priorities that will shape the Church’s direction.

Italian journalist Giovanna Chirri, who broke the news of Pope Benedict XVI’s resignation in 2013, said the conclave represents a pivotal moment.

“The next pope must carry forward Francis’ legacy while also uniting various factions,” Chirri said.

She added that while a total reversal of Francis’ reforms is unlikely, the new pope may adopt a more conciliatory tone and less assertive style.

“If during the congregations they manage to reach an agreement on the issues to be addressed, then they can quickly find a name,” Chirri said. “It could last up to 3–4 days. But I don’t think it will take longer than that.”