Cardinal Pietro Parolin: The Italian Diplomat as the Front-Runner for the Next Pope

The clock is ticking for the election of the 267th Pope. The conclave will convene on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, to elect the successor to Pope Francis, continuing a centuries-old tradition. A total of 133 cardinals from around the world will gather to vote for the next spiritual leader of 1.4 billion Catholics globally. The selection process takes place in absolute secrecy. Amid this climate, one name resonates louder than others within the Vatican’s heavy doors: Cardinal Pietro Parolin. Known as a career diplomat, discreet, and measured, Parolin lacks the personal charisma of his predecessor but brings over a decade of experience steering Vatican bureaucracy. He represents the safe choice for a Church seeking continuity and calm. Following the illness and death of Pope Francis, Cardinal Parolin was omnipresent, visiting the Pope in the hospital, sealing the papal apartments after his passing, and hosting cardinals from across the globe at the funeral. Leading up to the conclave, he celebrated an outdoor mass attended by tens of thousands of faithful outside St. Peter’s Basilica. While some criticize his stance on same-sex marriage and negotiations with China, many see him as a steady administrator who faithfully implemented Pope Francis’s vision during his tenure. Despite lacking the global symbolism of Francis, Parolin could appeal to those seeking stability rather than long-term leadership. His background includes diplomatic roles in Nigeria, Mexico, Venezuela, Ukraine, Russia, and crucially, China, where he brokered a historic agreement recognizing papal authority within the country. As geopolitical tensions rise and uncertainty looms over the Catholic Church, Parolin embodies the promise of measured continuity. Even if he doesn’t inspire with fiery rhetoric like Francis, he may unite a fractured Church through diplomacy, moderation, and institutional knowledge should he be elected.