# Predict the country or ethnicity of the next Pope **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [May 7, 2025, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/predict-the-country-or-ethnicity-of-the-next-pope/1018005 "2025-05-07T15:11:50Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![HoneyBadgerDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/honeybadgerdc/32/1033_2.png) [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2025, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/predict-the-country-or-ethnicity-of-the-next-pope/1018005/1 "2025-05-07T15:11:51Z")
I am thinking this will be the year we elect a Pope of color. My prediction is our first black Pope. I don’t believe our next pope will be white. ---
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2025, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/predict-the-country-or-ethnicity-of-the-next-pope/1018005/2 "2025-05-07T15:16:36Z")
The Philippines. Cardinal Tagle would be the first East Asian pope. ---
**Author:** ![SanVito](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sanvito/32/2805_2.png) [@SanVito](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SanVito)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2025, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/predict-the-country-or-ethnicity-of-the-next-pope/1018005/3 "2025-05-07T15:19:41Z")
I’m predicting a white Italian. It’s been a while. Possibly [Pierbattista Pizzaballa](https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/israel-pope-francis-gaza-vatican-tribute-b2738498.html) ---
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2025, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/predict-the-country-or-ethnicity-of-the-next-pope/1018005/4 "2025-05-07T15:26:42Z")
If I were Cardinal Pizzaballa, I would decline. Who would give up an awesome name like that just to become pope? ---
**Author:** ![HoneyBadgerDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/honeybadgerdc/32/1033_2.png) [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2025, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/predict-the-country-or-ethnicity-of-the-next-pope/1018005/5 "2025-05-07T15:30:17Z")
> [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](#): > > The Philippines. Cardinal Tagle would be the first East Asian pope I see him as a very strong contender ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2025, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/predict-the-country-or-ethnicity-of-the-next-pope/1018005/6 "2025-05-07T15:53:19Z")
Here are two recent threads with further discussion on the topic of “who will be pope and how?” If the OP hasn’t seen them perhaps they’d be interested in some more background on point. > [@Who is papable right now?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-papable-right-now/1014475): > > Pope Francis has been battling health issues for a couple of years now. The 88 year old has double pneumonia and doctors are calling his medical issues “complex”. Assuming he passes away in 2025, what cardinals are front runners to be elected the new Pope? > [@The 2025 Papal Conclave](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2025-papal-conclave/1017913): > > Due to start in two days on May 7th. I started the thread today because reality seems to be mirroring the movie [even more than we thought](https://www.cnn.com/2025/04/29/europe/cardinal-becciu-withdraws-conclave-intl/index.html). Mrs Cad can’t wait for it to end because at least once a day I’ll walk into the room carrying the corgi saying Annuntio vobis gaudium magnum habemus canem If I had to put money down, I would say Pope Parolin before the end of the 10th. Due to how much Francis did for him, he may go with Francis II. Theologically, John XXIV may be a better fit. Here’s… ---
**Author:** ![MacDoc](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/macdoc/32/18696_2.png) [@MacDoc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MacDoc)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2025, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/predict-the-country-or-ethnicity-of-the-next-pope/1018005/7 "2025-05-08T17:00:03Z")
[https://www.cbc.ca/player/play/video/9.6753082](https://www.cbc.ca/player/play/video/9.6753082) It is ended, new bossman elected. Live feed…CNN too. ---
**Author:** ![thelurkinghorror](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7c8e57/32.png) [@thelurkinghorror](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelurkinghorror)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2025, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/predict-the-country-or-ethnicity-of-the-next-pope/1018005/8 "2025-05-08T17:07:45Z")
He could have [Papal nuncio Eric Andre](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GxOkeLQohC0). ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2025, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/predict-the-country-or-ethnicity-of-the-next-pope/1018005/9 "2025-05-08T18:45:50Z")
Born in Chicago. His birth name was Robert. Pope Bob. Cool. ---
**Author:** ![mixdenny](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mixdenny/32/2962_2.png) [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2025, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/predict-the-country-or-ethnicity-of-the-next-pope/1018005/10 "2025-05-08T19:36:15Z")
Can people eat Italian Beef sandwiches on Fridays now? ---
**Author:** ![markn\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@markn\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/markn_1)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2025, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/predict-the-country-or-ethnicity-of-the-next-pope/1018005/11 "2025-05-08T19:38:58Z")
No, but I believe that eating a hot dog with ketchup will soon be declared to be a mortal sin. ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba9def/32.png) [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2025, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/predict-the-country-or-ethnicity-of-the-next-pope/1018005/12 "2025-05-08T21:26:45Z")
> [@markn\_1](#): > > No, but I believe that eating a hot dog with ketchup will soon be declared to be a mortal sin. I sense another schism coming. ---
**Author:** ![Coriolanus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/coriolanus/32/18769_2.png) [@Coriolanus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Coriolanus)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2025, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/predict-the-country-or-ethnicity-of-the-next-pope/1018005/13 "2025-05-08T22:47:22Z")
I knew trump had eliminated the Cardinal of NYC by mentioning him. Yet did not expect an American. (report for change of thread name to mods) Dam..I mean Darn! Forgot how to report posts. Can a mod or someone in the know do so? grey smoke for all ETA: Blessed are the Cubbies ---
**Author:** ![thelurkinghorror](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7c8e57/32.png) [@thelurkinghorror](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelurkinghorror)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2025, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/predict-the-country-or-ethnicity-of-the-next-pope/1018005/14 "2025-05-08T22:58:16Z")
Maybe he can perform a blessing and the Sox will win the World Series. That would be a miracle. ---
**Author:** ![Patx2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/73ab20/32.png) [@Patx2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Patx2)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2025, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/predict-the-country-or-ethnicity-of-the-next-pope/1018005/15 "2025-05-08T23:48:23Z")
Well, it’s all over, so this doesn’t count, but I really wanted Tagle. I was shocked when I found out he was an American. I’m American 😁. ---
**Author:** ![HoneyBadgerDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/honeybadgerdc/32/1033_2.png) [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2025, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/predict-the-country-or-ethnicity-of-the-next-pope/1018005/16 "2025-05-08T23:57:35Z")
I know the Popes cannot select their predecessor but I do suspect he campaigned for him before his death. It was all too quick. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_waldo_pepper/32/12370_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2025, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/predict-the-country-or-ethnicity-of-the-next-pope/1018005/17 "2025-05-09T00:10:13Z")
> [@HoneyBadgerDC](#): > > I know the Popes cannot select their predecessor _“On the night that I go back in time, you will be shot by terrorists. Please take whatever precautions are necessary to prevent this terrible disaster. Your friend, Marty.”_ ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2025, 1:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/predict-the-country-or-ethnicity-of-the-next-pope/1018005/18 "2025-05-09T01:06:13Z")
Not really. The recent conclaves have been two to three days. This one was short, too, but doesn’t seem oddly short or anything to me. ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2025, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/predict-the-country-or-ethnicity-of-the-next-pope/1018005/19 "2025-05-09T01:50:53Z")
[Modern conclaves (over the last 100 years) have been pretty quick (a few days).](https://www.nbcnews.com/data-graphics/conclave-how-long-election-pope-age-names-charts-what-know-rcna205441) It’s been over 200 years since one took more than a week. ETA: I read somewhere (I forget where now, there has been a lot written about this lately) that after 33-34 unsuccessful votes (typically about 13 days), a runoff between the top two candidates may be held. So, it seems the church has updated procedures to try and stop super-lengthy conclaves. ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2025, 1:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/predict-the-country-or-ethnicity-of-the-next-pope/1018005/20 "2025-05-09T01:53:46Z")
> [@markn\_1](#): > > No, but I believe that eating a hot dog with ketchup will soon be declared to be a mortal sin. There’s a special circle of Hell for those people. 😉 [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/predict-the-country-or-ethnicity-of-the-next-pope/1018005.md?page=2)