Rabat archbishop a contender after Pope Francis’ death

In the wake of Pope Francis’ death on April 21st, Cristóbal López Romero, 72, the Spanish Archbishop of Rabat, is among the contenders expected to gather in the Sistine Chapel to elect his successor, reports the Moroccan government friendly Hespress on April 23rd.

The Rabat Archbishop López Romero’s international pastoral experience, particularly in Muslim-majority contexts, resonates with the vision Pope Francis championed: one rooted in interfaith dialogue and global outreach.

Prominent candidates span a wide range of regions and backgrounds, including José Tolentino de Mendonça, 59, a Portuguese cardinal known for his deep engagement with culture and education, and Pierbattista Pizzaballa, 59, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem and a key voice in the Middle East.

Hespress. Maghrebi