Following the death of Pope Francis on Monday, it is still very difficult to predict who will take over the post, says Paulius Subačius, a member of the Lithuanian Catholic Academy of Sciences. However, according to the professor, there is a high probability that the new pope of the Roman Catholic Church will be a cleric not from Europe, but from the African or Asian continents.
"Within two or three weeks, nothing will be clear. It is pointless to speculate about who the new pope will be. Especially when there are so many cardinals from Africa, from Asia. (…) There is a considerable probability that the new pope will not be from Europe," P. Subačius told Elta on Monday afternoon.
Vilnius University According to the (VU) professor, it is also difficult to predict how the Church's paradigm itself will change - whether it will become stricter or more liberal.
"Pope Francis has always urged that we should talk to each other a lot - to hear, listen to and understand each other. Therefore, it is difficult to say at this time how (the Church's position - ELTA) will change. No one knows this at all. However, the will of the new Pope will be very important. His opinions may differ quite significantly from those of the cardinals or bishops," said P. Subačius.
"When the results of the conclave (the meeting of cardinals to elect the pope - ELTA) are available, then it will be clear whether anything will change at all. However, we can expect continuity, because it is precisely through continuity that the Church is strong and alive," he added.
A Lithuanian cardinal also has a theoretical opportunity to become pope
According to a Church historian, Rolandas Makrickas, who became the fifth cardinal in Lithuanian history, also has at least a theoretical chance of becoming pope.
"Every cardinal has an opportunity. (…) Although Cardinal Rolandas Makrickas is relatively young, he is currently the de facto head of the Basilica of St. Mary and belongs to influential cardinals," explained P. Subačius.
"In general, it is very important that we again have a cardinal who will participate in the conclave, since two of our cardinals will no longer participate in the conclave due to age," he noted.
ELTA reminds you that on Monday morning, the second day of Easter, 88-year-old Pope Francis died. The Catholic Church lost its leader just a day after he appeared in St. Peter's Square in the Vatican and addressed the world's faithful.
Pope Francis suffered a long and serious bout of pneumonia this year. He was released from hospital on March 23 after 38 days of treatment.
Raminta Majauskaitė (ELTA)
