The papal election could produce a surprise. Unless it doesn’t.

Do not trust any predictions on the next pope, including those in this article. Conclaves are known to surprise us, especially with this one having the largest number of voting cardinals, many of whom are unfamiliar with each other. The media cannot accurately predict the outcome.

Most forecasts, including those from gambling sites, point to Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican secretary of state, as the likely next pope. Parolin, being a close collaborator of the previous pope, represents continuity. However, his lack of charisma and involvement in Vatican financial issues could be factors against him.

While Parolin is a strong candidate, other cardinals like Luis Antonio Tagle and Matteo Zuppi are younger and more charismatic options. Past conclaves have produced unexpected results, and predicting the next pope is always uncertain until the election is over.

It’s advisable to withhold judgment until after the election and support the new pope, as their true nature often becomes apparent only with time. Remember, any speculation in this article could be inaccurate.