As the Catholic Church mourns the death of Pope Francis, artificial intelligence tools are joining the global speculation over who might become the next pope—though even the most advanced algorithms admit they’re largely in the dark.
The April 21 passing of Pope Francis has triggered a period of mourning and reflection, but also ignited a whirlwind of speculation around the globe about who will succeed him. The secretive nature of the papal conclave, however, presents a unique challenge—one that even AI struggles to decode.
Four AI chatbots, including OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Elon Musk’s Grok, were asked by AFP to weigh in on the likely frontrunners. Their responses highlighted not just the complexity of the conclave, but also the limits of artificial intelligence in dealing with deeply human—and spiritual—decisions.
Grok and Google’s Gemini both named Cardinal Pietro Parolin as the leading contender. As the Vatican’s Secretary of State and a close advisor throughout most of Francis’ pontificate, Parolin is seen as a stabilizing force within the Church hierarchy.
“Based on current analysis and prominent discussions, Cardinal Pietro Parolin emerges as a strong contender,” Gemini noted, though it hedged its bets with a list of eight other viable candidates.
OpenAI’s ChatGPT, on the other hand, leaned toward Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle. The former Archbishop of Manila and current Pro-Prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization is viewed by many as a global, pastoral figure in the mold of Francis. “If I had to make a prediction based on current trends, influence, and the direction the Church has taken under Pope Francis, Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle stands out as the most likely candidate,” the chatbot stated.
Despite the high-profile guesses, each AI system emphasized the futility of forecasting the outcome with any certainty.
“While AI can analyze data and identify patterns, predicting the next Pope involves factors that go beyond data analysis,” said Gemini, pointing to theological leanings, geographic representation, and the sealed nature of the conclave vote.
ChatGPT echoed the sentiment, calling its conclusion more of an analytical suggestion than a prophecy: “Not a prediction in the crystal ball sense, but rather a ‘here’s what the cardinals might consider’ kind of thing.”
Meanwhile, French firm Mistral AI opted out of the speculation altogether. “I don’t have the ability to predict or speculate on who the next Pope will be,” the company stated, urging users instead to consult reputable news outlets.
As cardinals begin to gather in Rome for the conclave, the world watches—and so do the algorithms. But as of now, when it comes to choosing the successor to the Chair of St. Peter, divine inspiration remains a mystery far beyond the reach of machine logic.
