That question is posed constantly in the media these days. I don’t know who it will be, only God knows, but I think the better question is: What path is the Catholic Church on now? 

Recent popes, like Francis, Benedict, John Paul, Paul VI and John XXII,  never thought themselves having  absolute power over the church. Rather, they saw themselves leading the church on a path begun by Jesus Christ centuries ago and recently envisioned by the Second Vatican Council more than 70 years ago.  The next pope, like them, will be chosen to shepherd the church along the path begun by that council. He’s not to steer the church in whatever direction he decides.  He has a path to follow.

What, then, is the path the Second Vatican Council set for the church? In its “ Constitution on the Church in the Modern World” the council states:  “The joys and the hopes, the griefs and the anxieties of the people of this age, especially those who are poor or in any way afflicted, these are the joys and hopes, the griefs and anxieties of the followers of Christ. Indeed, nothing genuinely human fails to raise an echo in their hearts. For theirs is a community composed of people.” ( LG 1)

The church is on a path of engagement and accompaniment with the people of its time, especially with “ the poor or those in any way afflicted.” Like the popes before him, Pope Francis recognized his duty was to promote a church of engagement and accompaniment, not just among the people of the church, but with the people of the world, with their joys and hopes, their griefs and anxieties. 

Besides the human family, Pope Francis promoted the path of engagement and accompaniment with the world of creation.  Facing the consequences of climate change, our common home needs care. He urged the human family to care for creation in his work “Laudato si’.” 

The Second Vatican Council, with its emphasis on the church as the People of God, set the church on the path of synodality, another goal Pope Francis strongly fostered. All who belong to the church by reason of their baptism are called to participate in her ministry and governance.  The entire people of God, not just the clergy, are called to pray, to read the signs of the times, to discern and dialogue about what we must do together to bring the gospel to all people. 

The next pope will feel bound to follow the path rooted in the way given by Jesus Christ centuries ago and indicated by the Second Vatican Council.. A pope has an important role in leading us on the path, and let’s not forget it’s a path.

The image of “path” helps us understand how the future may unfold. All our recent popes used that word to speak of the direction the church should take. A path is never a super-highway, a straight easily managed way. A path often takes twists and turns, sometimes even diverting from its goal, but a well-founded path gets us there.

“Who will be the next pope?” Better to keep in mind the path our church is on. Faith tells us it’s well founded. The Holy Spirit prepares the path to the days ahead and leads us on its way. “Come, Holy Spirit, and renew the face of the earth!” Yes, also give us a good pope.