Italian media outlets have generated considerable interest by including South Korean Cardinal Lazarus Yoo Heung-sik among potential successors to Pope Francis.
On Tuesday, Italy’s leading daily newspaper, Corriere della Sera, featured Cardinal Yoo in a special article predicting the next pope. He was listed alongside 11 other prominent candidates, including Pietro Parolin, Peter Erdö, Matteo Zuppi, Fridolin Ambongo Besungu, and Luis Antonio Tagle. Corriere della Sera is highly regarded for its accurate Vatican coverage.
Several other publications, including the Italian edition of Wired, also named Cardinal Yoo as a potential papal candidate. Notably, Wired ranked him tenth in their succession forecast.
Analysts suggest that his 2021 appointment as Prefect of the Dicastery for the Clergy by Pope Francis significantly boosts his chances. Pope Francis, who has appointed a record 89 non-European cardinals, has championed the Church’s de-Europeanization by placing numerous individuals from Asia and other peripheral regions in key Vatican positions.
Of the 135 cardinals eligible to vote in the upcoming conclave, the secret ballot for electing a pope, 108 were appointed by Pope Francis. This has led to speculation that his vision may continue to influence the upcoming election. Cardinal Yoo himself was elevated to cardinal by Pope Francis in 2022.
International media have also highlighted Cardinal Yoo’s efforts toward peace on the Korean Peninsula, including his four visits to North Korea.
However, some observers predict that if the Vatican decides to elect its first Asian pope under a perceived Asian quota, Cardinal Yoo might face challenges in surpassing Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle from the Philippines.
Cardinal Tagle has played a central role in the Vatican, having been appointed to the highest-ranking group of cardinals, the Cardinal Bishops, by Pope Francis.
A strong advocate for inclusivity and openness, Cardinal Tagle is considered one of the most progressive figures within the Vatican. He is often referred to as the Asian Francis and is widely recognized as a close confidant of Pope Francis.