After Pope Francis, who is the most eligible? We asked chatgpt

After the disappearance of Pope Francis, the Vatican officially triggered the interregnum: nine days of mourning and then, within 15-20 days, the “most difficult conclave in history” will open, as many observers called it, referring to the difficult inheritance left by Francesco. One thing is certain, after a series of black smokes, the white one will finally arrive to announce the new pontiff. Will it be a pope of continuity or breakage? Extra-European or European? Which Europe?

The chatgpt prediction? It’s all for two Italians

In this delicate phase, while the Catholic world cries the “Pope of the poor” and prepares for vote, Vaticanists and analysts are trying to understand what direction the Church will take. We tried to ask for a prediction from Chatgpt, specifically the chatgpt-4o model in “reasoning” mode.

The answer? «By playing to make the living -room vaticanists, the name that jumps out more often is that of Cardinal Pietro Parolin70 years old, secretary of state since 2013 ». According to artificial intelligence, “he is the man who most unites the two” blocks “of the conclave, strong of his great diplomatic experience and the transversal esteem that he collects among the purple. The classic compromise candidate, one of those names that impose themselves when looking for stability and continuity ».

And in fact, Parolin has the credentials: “Vatican Foreign Minister” for over a decade, he has managed very delicate dossiers, from relations with China to diplomacy in the Middle East and Ukrainian. “He is the group statesman,” Chatgpt reflects. Moderate-neither openly progressive nor ultra-conservative-could represent “a bridge between the two main currents in the cardinal college, often looking for a balance figure”.

In second place, Chatgpt puts the archbishop of Bologna and president of the CEI, the Cardinal Matteo Maria Zuppi (69 years). Former Sesantotino, loved by his city and appreciated for his dialogue style and attention to social issues, in the spirit of the community of Sant’Egidio from which it comes. The perfect nemesis between the street priest and the navigated curial. “A figure loved as much in the Vatican corridors as well as outside: it could embody a” Franciscan “continuity line, but with an even more reconciling face”.

The other candidates listed by Chatgpt

In addition to the cardinals Parolin and Zuppi, Chatgpt has also pitted other possible papabiles.
Among the hottest names the Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle67 years old, Filippino, driving Caritas Internationalis since 2015. “With his enthralling charisma and the incessant attention to the poor, he is seen as the” Asian Francis “, a potential pioneer of that” Turn Global South “that the Church has been waiting for for some time. However, some organizational shadows emerged in recent years seem to have a little cooled its prices ».

Another intriguing profile is that of Jean-Claude Hollerich72 years old, Luxembourg, president of the Comece, who promoted the European synodal path as a Jesuit and pushed on important internal reforms. “Considered” progressive paper “by those who dream of an even more inclusive church”. Finally, for the most conservative wing, the Cardinal Péter Erdő, 72 years old, Archbishop of Esztergom-Budapest: “rigorous theologian, marked diplomat, could aggregate votes in case of stall between the two main sides”.

ATTENTION: Never take the word of a chatbot as gold poured

A prediction still remains a predictionand should be handled carefully – all the more so if it is an artificial intelligence. Among the reasons why Parolin is indicated as a favorite, GPT also underlines the fact that it is Italian: after three non -Italian popes (John Paul II, Benedict XVI and Francesco), many purple – especially of the Curia – would have a certain nostalgia for a “home” pope.

But by making the model reason again, doubts also emerge: the Global Shift Started by Francesco, with an increasingly international church, it could make the choice of an Italian a move perceived as a step back. With about 80% of the cardinal college made up of purple nominated by Bergoglio, the next conclave will reflect a now planetary Catholic world: 135 cardinals from 71 countries, ready to have theirs. “This structure makes it more complicated to identify a” cartel “favorite and expands the possibility of surprises,” Chatgpt warns.

Who really wins?

The fact remains that the dynamics of the Conclave are impersoncrutable: the balance between “old guard” and new sensitivity, secret alliances, night consultations … each element can turn the predictions up to the white smoke. The only certainty? “That, as in a chess game played in the dark, even the strongest of the favorites can fall for an unexpected crackle. And then, forward with your predictions from social and intellectual lounges: the next Pope could be anyone, and nobody can say it until the last vote ». Word of chatgpt.