Following the death of Pope Francis, President Donald Trump endorsed American Cardinal Raymond Leo Burke to take the throne of St. Peter. Among the possible successors are Cardinal Willem Jacobus Eijk, with a strong presence in the Netherlands, and Hungarian Cardinal Péter Erdő. Experts point to the possibility of a shift towards a European pope given the trend of stronger candidate profiles.
According to Felipe Gaytán, an academic from UNAM, although the election of a Latin American Pope was indirect, it is unlikely that the next Supreme Pontiff will be from Latin America, given the growing interest in Italian or European origins after three foreign popes.
Trump's support for Burke has generated a stir due to his ultra-conservative stance, but he is not the only candidate. Other cardinals are also emerging as potential successors. Analyst Ignacio Cuevas believes that a pope close to Trump is unlikely, as there is a desire to maintain the independence and freedom of the Catholic Church globally.
Raymond Leo Burke studied Theology at the Pontifical Gregorian University and has held significant roles within the Vatican. Despite Trump's support, experts like Felipe Gaytán believe that Burke does not truly aspire to the papacy, but could endorse a candidate aligned with his conservative convictions.
Regarding the possible successors of Francis, several prominent candidates are mentioned, such as Pietro Parolin, a consensus figure and great diplomat; Matteo Maria Zuppi, an Italian progressive figure; Luis Antonio Tagle, a representative from Asia considered progressive; among other cardinals with diverse profiles and possibilities to hold the papacy.
While Burke is backed by Trump, pressures within the Vatican point in another direction. Experts like Cuevas and Gaytán highlight the diversity of options being considered to succeed Francis and the importance of maintaining the ecclesiastical institution as an independent and global entity.
