Who is Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Italian cardinal and patriarch of Jerusalem seen as a leading candidate to become the next Pope

Vatican City is at a critical juncture. With the death of Pope Francis, the focus has turned to the question of succession. A number of names have emerged as potential heirs to the papacy, though not all follow the same path as Jorge Mario Bergoglio.

Nationality isn’t supposed to matter, but many within the Church are quietly hoping for an Italian pope—the first in nearly half a century. One of the leading figures in that conversation is Pierbattista Pizzaballa, who was appointed patriarch of Jerusalem in 2020 after serving for more than twelve years as Custodian of the Holy Sepulchre, as reported by Corriere della Sera.

Today, Pizzaballa leads a Church made up largely of Palestinian Arabs, while maintaining open and consistent dialogue with both the Jewish community and the state of Israel. He appears to be the ideal candidate. But there’s one factor that could work against him: his age. Pizzaballa turned 60 on April 21, and electing him could mean the Church wouldn’t face another conclave for decades.

Pizzaballa: A family rooted in football

One of the more curious details about Pizzaballa is his connection to the world of soccer. His father’s cousin was Pierluigi Pizzaballa, the legendary Italian goalkeeper who played for the national team and clubs such as Atalanta, AS Roma, Hellas Verona, and AC Milan. Over his career, he won a Serie B title and two Coppa Italia trophies.

For now, the world waits to see what will unfold in the upcoming conclave inside the Sistine Chapel—a gathering that has once again turned Rome into the spiritual center of global attention.

See also: The longest conclave in history: 1,006 days, cardinals dying, and only bread and water

Get your game on! Whether you’re into NFL touchdowns, NBA buzzer-beaters, world-class soccer goals, or MLB home runs, our app has it all.

Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more – plus, stay updated on the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.