From the death of Pope Francisthe dance of names on who will be the designated to occupy the throne of San Pedro did not stop. Just hours after the next conclave, The Italian Pietro Parolin – current Secretary of State of the Vatican – It arises as one of the strongest candidates to succeed the Argentine. Despite the saying that “who enters Papa, comes out cardinal”, the looks are placed on the purple of 70 years.
In detail, From Wednesday, May 7 at 11:30, Argentine timethe cardinals will be locked in the Sistine Chapel to begin a new conclave and choose their representative. To be designated as a high pontiff, Any of the wandering present must reach a total of 89 votes over the 133 possible ones.
Who is Pietro Parolin: one of the main candidates to happen to Pope Francis
With 70 years and an extensive career in Vatican diplomacyPietro Parolin is one of the names that resonate most in the vatican’s halls for the conclave that will define the successor of Pope Francis. Current Secretary of State – Since 2013 -, the Italian has already been in charge of a key role in the management of the Holy See and is seen as a bridge between the progressive and conservative wings of the Church.
Born in 1955 in Schiavon, a small town in northern Italy, Parolin was ordered priest in 1980 and six years later entered the diplomatic service of the Holy See. Since then, he had an outstanding international tour, With destinations in Nigeria and Mexico in the eightiesand one particularly delicate mission in Venezuelawhere he was apostolic nuncio during the years of tension between the government of Hugo Chávez and the Catholic Church.
His career is marked by a strong negotiating imprint. In 2002 he was appointed undersecretary of the section for relations with the states by John Paul II, and already under Francisco’s papacy, without still Cardinal, He was appointed Head of Vatican Diplomacy. “I feel all the weight of responsibility for me: Before which my powers are weak and my poor skills”He said then, according to a statement cited by Radio Vaticano. Francisco highlighted him for his “ability to dialogue and human treatment.”
A negotiator with strong diplomatic ties
Throughout his management, Parolin was the protagonist of relevant diplomatic milestones: he participated in the MANAGES FOR THE RESTORATION OF RELATIONS BETWEEN THE UNITED AND CUBA IN 2014he attended the signing of the peace agreement between the Colombian government and the FARC in 2016and it was one of the architects of the agreement between the Vatican and China on the appointment of bishopssigned in 2018. He also maintained an active intervention in the Venezuelan crisis, sending direct messages to the authorities both in 2016 and 2021 to demand urgent measures in the face of food and medicines.
In addition to Italian, Parolin speaks French, English and Spanishwhich allowed him to weave close links with Latin America. His role in multilateral organizations has also been relevant: in 2006 he promoted the Nuclear Non -Proliferation Treaty and for years he represented the Vatican before the UN General Assembly.
Nevertheless, His candidacy is not exempt from criticism. Parolin was pointed out throughout his career for some organizations for his alleged lack of collaboration in research on sexual abuse within the Church. He also received questions about his participation in a failed real estate agreement in London.
Pietro Parolin
Despite being like a more cautious and conservative figure than FranciscoParolin supported the Argentine agenda, although not without nuances. In 2015 he described the legalization of equal marriage in Ireland as “a defeat for humanity.” However, in 2024 he supported a document of the Dicasteria for the doctrine of faith that allows the blessing to same -sex couples: “The Church today is not the Church of 2,000 years ago. The Church is open to the signs of the times,” He affirmed at a conference in Rome.
In addition, Parolin has an age that is seen with good eyes as it represents An option with a longer duration at the head of the papacy: it would be younger than its two predecessors at the time of being elected. And his eventual choice would mean – also – The return of an Italian to the throne of San Pedroafter more than Four decades dominated by foreign pontiffs.
How are bets for the new Pope
With the conclave about to begin and more than US $ 20 million bet —A figure 50 times higher than 2013, The interest in who will be the next Pope is also played on global betting platforms. According to the different portals, Pietro Parolin, current Secretary of State of the Vatican, is among the favorites, although it does not lead all rankings.
In Betting On Line, The Italian cardinal paid 4/1, followed by the Filipino Luis Antonio Tagle with 9/2Ghanaés Peter Turkson with 6/1 and Hungarian Peter Erdo with 7/1. Meanwhile, Odds Checker placed Tagle to the head with 3/1, followed by Parolin with 4/1, and then Turkson and Erdo, both with 6/1. The traditional William Hill house offered 7/4 for both Tagle and Parolin, 8/1 for Erdo and 10/1 for Turkson.
Paddy Hill, meanwhile, I had a favorite to Parolin with a 7/3 share, followed by the Italian Angelo Scola and Tarcisio Bertone with 7/2, while Turkson quoted 5/2, Erdo at 14/1 and other names reached 20/1.
Unlike 2013, when the figure of Jorge Mario Bergoglio seemed away from the top positions (The betting houses located it in the 15th place), this time the stage is more orderly, although the secrecy imposes again. It is enough to remember that, at that time, Bergoglio was 76 years old, came from a hard political setback in Argentina with the sanction of equal marriage, and had been second after Ratzinger in the 2005 conclave. In spite of everything, it ended up being the chosen one.
Unlike previous elections, the panorama does not offer high magnetism figures such as Karol Wojtyla, or great theologians such as Joseph Ratzinger. The choice, This time, it seems aimed at privileging political balance and institutional stability, more than a strong doctrinal or charismatic imprint.
Source: Ambito
