Congolese monk Fridolin Ambongo Besungu (65) is internationally considered a Putin sympathizer. Last year, the Attorney General of the Kinshasa Court of Cassation ordered the initiation of a judicial investigation against the cleric. He is accused of making inflammatory statements that are said to constitute "incitement of the population to revolt and attacks on human life." He is considered a leading candidate.
A Trump-Fan:
Cardinal Gerhard-Ludwig Müller (77).He is politically considered part of Donald Trump's camp. The former Munich professor rose from Bishop of Regensburg to head of the Papal Authority for the Doctrine of the Faith. Francis did not renew his position. Since then, he has been considered a critic of Francis. The friend of Gloria von Thurn und Taxis (65) has an outside chance.
A brave man:
The preferred candidate of many European cardinals is the Patriarch of Jerusalem, the Italian Pierbattista Pizzaballa (59). As pope, he could greatly promote peace in the Holy Land. No other cardinal is equally accepted by Jews and Muslims. After Pope Francis demanded the release of the hostages kidnapped by Hamas in the terrorist attack (October 7, 2023), Pizzaballa offered himself as a bargaining chip in exchange for the kidnapped Jewish children. He is the dignitary of the hearts of the faithful! The cardinal is highly valued by bishops and believers. Today is his birthday.
A favorite:
The perennial favorite is Cardinal Pietro Parolin (70). The Secretary of State is actually among the top favorites in every speculation. Parolin has served Francis since 2013. So far, he has played the role of a church official. Whether he could become a politician or even a charismatic figure remains unclear.
But there's an old saying in the Vatican: Whoever enters the conclave (election process) as a pope (meaning the top favorite) will emerge as a cardinal!