A papal election could be imminent and result in a pivotal shift. Who are the current front-runners? On March 2, t-online posed this question to German journalist and Vatican expert Andreas Englisch, who has for decades reported on developments in the Vatican. Englisch gave two possible candidates, both Italian: Pietro Parolin and Pierbattista Pizzaballa.

Pietro Parolin is cardinal secretary of state, second in command at the Vatican, an office that has often been a stepping-stone to the papacy. In 2023, the Pillar asked, “Could Parolin Be Pope?” and answered: “It seems increasingly likely. … But a Vatican secretary of state has not been elected pope since Pius xii in 1939.”

Parolin has praised the World War ii pope for his actions during the war and has defended him against critics—Pius infamously maintained close ties with Adolf Hitler. Parolin has followed Pius’s example in working with controversial world governments such as Cuba and China.

He also has a strong vision for Europe. In a February 15 interview with Eco di Bergamo, he called on Europe to “rediscover itself”—in other words, resurrect the Holy Roman Empire.

However, Parolin had a serious bout with cancer he had to overcome. After Pope Francis’s prolonged sickness, many cardinals may look for a younger, more dynamic man.

Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the patriarch of Jerusalem, “would have particular political significance, especially in the current geopolitical situation in the Middle East,” Englisch said. “In addition, his comparatively young age—under 60—gives him a long-term perspective for the office.”

In 2023, Pizzaballa caught the attention of Gerald Flurry, who detailed Pizzaballa’s criticism of Israel in his article “The Jewish Nation Has No Helper.” Later that year, Pizzaballa was made a cardinal and suddenly was seen as a contender for the papacy.

The office he holds, Latin patriarch of Jerusalem, was founded during the First Crusade when Catholic Crusaders slaughtered Muslims and Jews, filling Jerusalem with blood. The first patriarch of Jerusalem oversaw the forceful conversion and slaughter of heretics himself.

Bible prophecy reveals in Revelation 17 a strong relation between Europe’s political leadership and that of the Roman Catholic Church. For this reason, the Trumpet and its predecessor, the Plain Truth, have long thought Europe would, in a moment of crisis, see the rise of new leadership at the head of its political and religious system and that these two would form a close alliance. Thus, relations between the potential successors to Pope Francis and Europe’s upcoming leader need to be watched closely.

A strong candidate to become the leader of Europe’s political system is former German Defense Minister Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg (see “Watch This Man Closely.”) Incidentally, Guttenberg is friends with Andreas Englisch and has interviewed him for his podcast and a documentary.

Guttenberg, who has met both Pope Benedict and Pope Francis, descends from a strong Catholic family. In questions about the Vatican, Guttenberg trusts Englisch’s insight. He may use it to form a cooperation with the Vatican’s future leadership. A future conclave may bring surprises, but for this and other reasons, Parolin and Pizzaballa are worth watching.