The frontrunner to become the next pope suffered a brief health scare on Wednesday.
Cardinal Pietro Parolin, who many leaders in the Catholic Church believe will become the next pope, fainted during a gathering of the General Congregation at the Vatican.
The Vatican reported Parolin’s high blood pressure led to his fainting.
Vatican medical officials quickly attended to Parolin, and he is now in good condition.
JUST IN: According to multiple sources, yesterday afternoon an “alert” was triggered in the Vatican concerning the health of former Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, who is considered one of the leading papal contenders. The 70-year-old Cardinal reportedly… pic.twitter.com/96QcME6VwI
— Diane Montagna (@dianemontagna) May 1, 2025
Report: Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin (70), who is considered one of the leading contenders to become the next pope, suffered a sudden illness yesterday due to elevated blood pressure. A medical team attended to him for approximately an hour. pic.twitter.com/tVroW1FrV1
— The Calvin Coolidge Project (@TheCalvinCooli1) May 1, 2025
Per Catholic Vote:
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.
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.
Conclave News
Yesterday afternoon an “alert” was triggered in the Vatican concerning the health of Cardinal Pietro Parolin
The 70 year old reportedly suffered a sudden health emergency due to elevated blood pressure & was attended to by a medical team for an hour pic.twitter.com/SeVfDKB5k4
— Al Carbo (@carbo_al) May 1, 2025
Per Newsweek:
Four main contenders have emerged in the race for the next pope, according to one leading betting site.
The papal election is drawing intense global attention due to its potential to shape the future of the world’s largest Christian denomination which has more than 1.2 billion followers.
The selection of the next pope will influence doctrinal directions and address internal conflicts. The contest pits more progressive reformists against more traditionalist voices.
The stakes are compounded by lingering debates about transparency, governance, and the balance between tradition and modernity.
Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, Cardinal Peter Turkson and Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, have become the four leading contenders to become the next pope, according to crypto-powered gambling website Polymarket.
On the day Pope Francis died on April 21, Italian Cardinal Parolin’s chances reached the highest mark so far at 42 percent, according to the site’s tracker. Filipino Tagle’s neared 36 percent, Italian Zuppi hit 6.8 percent and Ghanain Turkson 6.5 percent.
The odds have shifted since, with Turkson’s chances jumping highest.
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