Pope Francis battled double pneumonia for five weeks earlier this year, concerning millions worldwide. His weakened condition leaves the Catholic Church rather leaderless as the world grapples with mounting global crises. A new papal election could be imminent and bring a pivotal shift. Who are the current front-runners?

T-online posed this question on March 2 to German journalist and Vatican expert Andreas Englisch, who has for decades reported about the developments in the Vatican. He answered:

Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin, who plays a central role as the number two in the Vatican, is traditionally seen as a promising candidate. Historically, this office has often been a stepping-stone to the papacy. However, there are uncertainties regarding his health, as he has overcome a serious bout of cancer. But he is definitely a candidate.

Another name being bandied about is the patriarch of Jerusalem, Pierbattista Pizzaballa. His possible election would have particular political significance, especially in the current geopolitical situation in the Middle East. In addition, his comparatively young age—under 60—gives him a long-term perspective for the office.

Interestingly, both of these papable candidates are Italian. While there are many other contenders, Englisch believes they have disqualified themselves due to recent statements, actions or simply old age.

A future conclave may bring surprises, but there is another reason to pay attention to Parolin and Pizzaballa.

Church-State Relations Prophesied

Bible prophecy reveals in Revelation 17 a strong relation between Europe’s political leadership and the Roman Catholic Church. For this reason, the Trumpet and its predecessor, the Plain Truth, have long predicted that a crisis in Europe would bring new leadership to its political and religious systems, and that these two would form a close alliance.

Using biblical prophecies in the books of Daniel and Revelation, Trumpet editor in chief Gerald Flurry writes in Daniel Unlocks Revelation that a religious leader will “help get the political leader” to power. Thus any relations between who the next pope may be and Europe’s upcoming leader needs to be closely watched.

Mr. Flurry watches former German Defense Minister Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg as a strong candidate to become the leader of Europe’s political system. (To learn more, read “Watch This Man Closely.”) Incidentally, Guttenberg is friends with Andreas Englisch and has interviewed him for his podcast and a documentary.

Guttenberg, who has met both Pope Benedict and Pope Francis, descends from a strong Catholic family. Guttenberg trusts Englisch’s insight on the Vatican and may use it to form a cooperation with the Vatican’s future leadership.

Whoever the next pope will be and whether Guttenberg will form a relationship with him or not, Parolin and Pizzaballa are worth watching.

Parolin

In 2023, the Pillar asked, “Could Parolin Be Pope?” It answered: “It seems increasingly likely. … But a Vatican secretary of state has not been elected pope since Pius xii in 1939.”

Parolin has praised the World War ii pope for his actions during the war and has defended him against critics, even though Pius infamously maintained close ties with Adolf Hitler.

In many ways, Parolin has followed Pius’s example of working with controversial world governments, working with Cuba and China. But he also has a particular interest for Germany and Europe.

In a 2021 visit to Berlin to celebrate 100 years of diplomatic relations, Parolin said:

In Germany too, the [Vatican] has not contented itself with observing events and assessing their significance but has always worked for effective cooperation between church and state, for a truly joint and orderly effort, for the benefit of the individual and the common good. The common good is linked to peace in many ways.

Parolin is a strong advocate for European unity and reviving the history of the Holy Roman Empire. In a February 15 interview with Eco di Bergamo, he called on Europe to “rediscover itself.”

Parolin said Europe’s “most serious problem is the lack of ideas for the future that allow it to respond with determination to international competitors.” He stated that Europe’s weakness is caused by a wrong relationship with its own history, “a deep, and partly justified, fear of its past.”

“Instead of building Europe on its deep foundations and roots, a changing consensus of values ​​has been preferred,” he said. “But the future can only be built on the past.”

Parolin is 70 years old and after Pope Francis’s prolonged sickness, many cardinals may look for a younger, more dynamic man.

Pizzaballa

Cardinal Pizzaballa has served in the Jerusalem diocese since 1990. In 2023, he caught the attention of Mr. Flurry, who detailed Pizzaballa’s criticism of Israel in his article “The Jewish Nation Has No Helper.” That same year Pizzaballa was made a cardinal.

At only 59 years old, he is seen as one of the youngest candidates to replace Pope Francis. T-online published an article on February 25 titled “This Cardinal Is Suddenly the Favorite to Succeed the Pope.”

Others agree. Unherd published an article in December titled “Could Pierbattista Pizzaballa Be the Next Pope?” It wrote:

Pierbattista Pizzaballa is a name that deserves to be world famous. Very soon, it might be. It belongs to one of the most intriguing figures in the Catholic Church, who’s recently emerged as a leading candidate for the top job. … Until last year, he wasn’t even a cardinal. And yet upon receiving his red hat he was suddenly catapulted into the ranks of the papabili. … By next Christmas, or the one after that, Pizzaballa could be pope—and it’s only then that his brother bishops will discover the full measure of the man.

Germany’s Katholische.de wrote:

The Italian Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the first patriarch of Jerusalem in the College of Cardinals, also has courage. In the minefield of the Middle East, the 59-year-old has been proving himself as a skillful diplomat and dialogue partner for years. His style is “Franciscan” and unclerical; his language both understandable and pious. He is just as familiar with Jewish and Islamic leaders as he is with those of the Orthodox Church. All of this would be an advantage in a future conclave.

The patriarch of Jerusalem was founded during the Crusades when Catholic crusaders slaughtered Muslims and Jews, filling Jerusalem with blood. If Pizzaballa becomes pope, this history should serve as a warning.

Watch for Dramatic Change

Our book The Holy Roman Empire in Prophecy details the history between Europe’s historic church-state cooperation and shows how this relationship was prophesied in Revelation 13 and 17. Furthermore, it proves from the Bible that this empire will rise once again. The next pope will most certainly continue this tradition. This book explains:

In [Revelation 17:4], God prophesies that this woman, or church, would have an international presence, and would come to possess incredible wealth: “And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls ….” She would be unmistakable among the world’s religions. Her wealth and influence would be unmatched; she would truly be a religion to behold.

The Apostle John also prophesies that this “woman” influences the “kings of the earth.” She has a habit of forming relationships with and ruling over secular governments. Verse 2 says the “inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication.” She is an imperialistic religion with a habit of intertwining herself with secular governments. A student of history knows that only one church can consistently be described this way.

The Catholic Church will once again take on more of that role, no matter who leads it in the future.

To learn more, read Gerald Flurry’s latest Trumpet article on the subject: “A New Era Requires a New Pope.”