In the days following Pope Francis’ passing, Cardinal Pietro Parolin was a prominent presence throughout Vatican City.
As the Vatican’s second-highest official, Parolin visited the ailing pope in hospital, oversaw the sealing of the papal apartments after his death, and greeted cardinals arriving from across the globe for the funeral. His interactions included conversations with notable figures such as former U.S. President Joseph R. Biden Jr., Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, and former Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi. Prior to the conclave to select the next pope, he led an outdoor Mass that drew tens of thousands of worshippers to the steps of St. Peter’s Basilica.
Widely recognized within Vatican circles, Cardinal Parolin will preside over the forthcoming papal election and is increasingly seen as the principal compromise candidate in a conclave comprising more than 130 cardinals, many of whom are unfamiliar with one another.
Andrea Riccardi, founder of the Sant’Egidio Community, a Catholic organization closely aligned with Pope Francis, noted, “The only candidate who has consistently emerged is Parolin. He embodies continuity.” Riccardi added that Parolin’s approach reflects the belief that “virtue lies in the middle.”
Known for his reserved demeanor and an inscrutable expression, the Italian cardinal is cautious by nature. Yet, in a world marked by uncertainty, this steadiness is considered an asset. While he may not possess Pope Francis’ charismatic or symbolic global appeal, Parolin has been the key executor of the pope’s vision throughout his decade-long leadership of Vatican administration.
Several cardinals regard Parolin as a figure who could provide a stable, administrative hand to guide the Church’s future. At 70 years old, he also represents a choice acceptable to those cardinals wary of a long, drawn-out papacy.
