Vatican News / YouTube Screenshot
VATICAN CITY // Cardinal Pietro Parolin, widely regarded as the frontrunner to become the next pope, experienced a brief health scare April 30 at the conclusion of the late afternoon General Congregation at the Vatican. According to sources within the Holy See, Cardinal Parolin fainted at the end of the session, prompting immediate concern among his fellow cardinals and Vatican staff.
Shortly after the incident, Vatican officials clarified that Cardinal Parolin had suffered an episode of high blood pressure. He was promptly attended to and is now reported to be in good condition, with no lasting effects from the episode.
May 1 is Labor Day — a national holiday in Italy — and the cardinals have the morning off from their official duties. This fortuitous break in the conclave preparations has provided Cardinal Parolin with additional time to rest and recover before proceedings resume.
Parolin, a leading candidate
The vast majority of the Italian press and international observers consider Cardinal Parolin the leading candidate to succeed Pope Francis. Betting markets and Vatican insiders alike have consistently placed him at the top of the list of papabili — those cardinals deemed most likely to be elected pope in the upcoming conclave. His reputation as a skilled diplomat and a steady, moderate presence within the Church has made him a “safe” and unifying figure for many of his peers.
But his critics point out his role in keeping the Holy See silent against Latin American dictatorships that have oppressed the Catholic church such as Cuba, Nicaragua, and Venezuela. Most importantly, critics blame him for the secret Vatican agreement with the Communist government in China, which has turned out to be disastrous.
As CatholicVote reported, on Wednesday, the Chinese government appointed new bishops during the sede vacante period, defying the Vatican agreement.
Who is Cardinal Pietro Parolin?
Born in Schiavon, Italy, in 1955, Cardinal Parolin has served as the Vatican’s secretary of state since 2013, effectively acting as the Holy See’s top diplomat. He became a priest in 1980 and quickly distinguished himself in the Vatican’s diplomatic service, with postings in Nigeria, Mexico, and Venezuela, as well as senior roles in the Secretariat of State.
Fluent in several languages, Parolin is renowned for his expertise in international relations, but has never spent time in a pastoral role.
He is characterized as a figure of continuity with Pope Francis, though some observers note he is less charismatic than his predecessor.
