An AI model has predicted who will be the next pope
In this DML Report…
Pope Francis died at 88, prompting the Catholic Church to initiate the process of electing his successor, with 135 eligible cardinals set to gather in Rome for the secretive conclave starting at least 15 days after his passing. The conclave, held in the Sistine Chapel, involves cardinals under 80 voting until a two-thirds majority selects the new pope. OpenAI’s ChatGPT has predicted Cardinal Pietro Parolin, a 70-year-old Italian priest, as the likely successor, citing his role as Vatican Secretary of State since 2013 and his position as a “continuity” candidate acceptable to both reformers and traditionalists.
Parolin is seen as a natural heir to Francis’ legacy, balancing the interests of the Church’s liberal and conservative factions, and currently holds an edge in betting markets. Of the 252 living cardinals, 138 are under 80 and eligible to vote, with many already traveling to Rome for the election. The conclave’s clandestine nature—its name derived from the Latin “cum clave,” meaning “with key”—underscores the secrecy of the process, which will determine the next leader of the Roman Catholic Church.
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The prediction comes amid broader discussions about the Church’s future direction, with 80% of the voting cardinals appointed by Francis, suggesting a potential lean toward a liberal successor, though the conclave’s dynamics remain unpredictable. Relationships, personalities, and regional differences among cardinals—particularly on issues like the role of women and attitudes toward gay Catholics—will influence the outcome. No official candidates have been confirmed, and the Vatican has not endorsed the AI prediction, leaving the result uncertain until the conclave concludes.