Cardinal Erdo Emerges as Conservative Contender for Papacy

Budapest's Cardinal Peter Erdo stands out in the Catholic Church's future discussions, promoting conservative values and questioning the church's liberal shifts under Pope Francis.

With more than a million refugees arriving in Europe a decade ago, Pope Francis advocated for compassion, famously washing the feet of asylum seekers in Italy. Contrastingly, Cardinal Peter Erdo, who is archbishop of Esztergom-Budapest and a likely successor to Francis, took a stricter stance. He initially ordered the doors of churches in Hungary to remain closed to migrants, citing legal concerns, and expressed that accepting refugees could equate to human trafficking.

While he later adjusted his views after conferring with Pope Francis, Erdo's decision initially drew admiration from conservative factions, concerned about the Pope’s open-door policy. This episode established him as a figure representing those who wish to steer the Church back towards traditional values and practices, distanced from what they view as emotional overreach.

Cardinal Erdo is also a multilingual canon law expert, known for his scholarly contributions to the Church’s legislation. However, his limited direct experience working with everyday parishioners since his ordination in 1975 may hinder his ability to connect with the faithful as the Church seeks to counter Europe's increasing secularization. His emergence in the upcoming discussions surrounding papal succession encapsulates the ongoing tension between tradition and change within the Catholic Church.