As the Catholic Church begins to grapple with the death of Pope Francis on Easter Monday, all eyes have turned to the question of who will wear the white cassock next. Among the top contenders? Hungary’s own Cardinal Péter Erdő—whose name has once again resurfaced as papal buzz builds.
British oddsmakers at William Hill are already laying bets, and while Filipino Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle and Italian Cardinal Pietro Parolin are leading the pack with 7/4 odds each—putting their chances at roughly 36.4%—Erdő isn’t far behind. The 72-year-old archbishop of Esztergom-Budapest holds 8/1 odds, giving him an 11% shot at becoming the next pontiff.
Erdő, a prominent figure in Hungary’s Roman Catholic Church, was ordained in 1975, elevated to bishop in 1999, and has served as a cardinal since 2003. He was even in the running back in 2013 after Pope Benedict XVI’s resignation. With both deep theological roots and a reputation that appeals across ideological lines—conservative in principle but respected even among the Church’s liberal circles—Erdő has emerged as a serious candidate once again.
Commenting on the growing intrigue, former diplomat and security policy analyst Attila Demko wrote on Facebook, “It’s not pretty, but that’s the way the world is—speculation is already underway.” He emphasized the weight of the moment, particularly as the Church finds itself navigating an internal cultural divide across the West. “If ever there was a time when leadership truly mattered, it’s now,” Demko added, referencing a Newsweek ranking that placed Erdő as the fourth most likely successor.
Interestingly, this isn’t Erdő’s first time in the spotlight. His name surfaced not only after Benedict’s departure but also three years ago when Pope Francis fell ill—sparking whispers then that have now grown into serious talk.
With the Vatican preparing for the upcoming conclave, it’s clear the race is on. And from bookmakers to bishops, Cardinal Erdő has become a name to watch.
