After Francis: Better the devil you know?

Is it naive to hope for a Pope of Tradition—a man who loves truth, who reveres the sacred, who will boldly defend the Faith handed down from the Apostles?

(Sedevacantist friends, you may wish to sit this one out.)

As many of you who read this modest little publication know, I am a convert to the Catholic Faith.

More to the point, I entered the Church during what has been referred to by some as the reign of error under Pope Francis. I still recall, with a mixture of confusion and amusement, the bewildered expressions and concerned warnings I received from fellow Catholics during my journey toward the Church. Several people, almost in disbelief, asked why I was entering the Church at a time when so many others were running for the doors. Others shook their heads and muttered that I was walking straight into a crisis.

At the time, I found these reactions peculiar. That changed quickly.

It didn’t take long for me to understand the source of their unease.

The Pope I encountered as the visible head of the Church on earth bore little resemblance to the saints, theologians, and champions of the Faith who had inspired me through their writings and examples. Those men and women had sparked in me a hunger for truth, a longing for the sacred, and a love for the Church’s timeless teachings. Pope Francis, by contrast, seemed to represent an entirely different spirit—one marked by ambiguity, accommodation, and, at times, outright heterodox contradiction and seeming heresy.

In moments of frustration, I’ve even said—not entirely joking—that I wasn’t sure he was Catholic at all. That he had abandoned the Faith. (And here, no doubt, my sedevacantist friends would like to leap in with their well-formed arguments and give me a firm nudge—or a theological bludgeoning. I understand the temptation, believe me.)

But now, he is gone.

And what do I feel?

Sadness? No.

Relief? Cautiously, yes.

Do I wish him ill, or condemn his soul? Absolutely not.

And yet, I cannot shake a certain gnawing anxiety. Ever since I received the news—while sharing brunch with friends and loved ones on a calm Monday morning here in South Africa—one phrase has haunted my thoughts:

“Better the devil you know than the devil you don’t.”

What now? Who will ascend the Chair of Peter? Is it naive to hope for a Pope of Tradition—a man who loves truth, who reveres the sacred, who will boldly defend the Faith handed down from the Apostles? Is there even a chance we might see such a leader again? Or should we brace ourselves for another chapter in the ongoing drama of heresy, heterodoxy, ambiguity, and pastoral confusion?

Only time will tell.

I won’t attempt to catalogue the many theological, liturgical, and moral failings of Pope Francis—others have done so extensively, and I’ve added my voice to that chorus more than once. Nor will I piously try to construct a list of his “top 10 accomplishments,” which would either be painfully ironic or disingenuous. I also have no intention of playing armchair Vaticanologist and predicting who the next pope will be. That would be the height of foolishness.

Still, as the Cardinals make their way to Rome for the conclave, I want to offer a brief overview—my humble and admittedly biased perspective—on the names most often mentioned, whether seriously or wishfully.

Here they are:

Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle (Philippines)

Often dubbed the "Asian Francis," Tagle is beloved by globalist elites and progressive Catholic circles for his emotional, inclusive rhetoric. His election would signal a deepening of the post-conciliar drift: a Church more focused on feelings than on the clear proclamation of truth.

Cardinal Pietro Parolin (Italy)

As Secretary of State, Parolin is shrewd and diplomatic—but doctrinally unreliable. His role in the secretive China deal and willingness to “reinterpret” moral teaching make him a dangerous figure cloaked in bureaucratic calm.

Cardinal Jean-Marc Aveline (France)

A champion of interfaith dialogue who appears uninterested in evangelization. Aveline represents a vision of the Church where harmony trumps truth, and conversion becomes secondary to coexistence.

Cardinal Mario Grech (Malta)

The face of synodality’s confusion. Grech has supported sacrilegious innovations such as Communion for the divorced and remarried. His papacy would be an open rejection of Christ’s clear teaching.

Cardinal Juan José Omella (Spain)

A pragmatist who prioritizes political approval over fidelity to doctrine. Omella has suppressed traditional Catholic communities and been notably silent on Spain’s moral collapse.

Cardinal Joseph Tobin (USA)

A darling of the liberal American Church. Tobin is outspoken in his advocacy for LGBT outreach and theological innovation. His elevation would accelerate the modernist crisis.

Cardinal Matteo Zuppi (Italy)

Articulate, personable, and dangerously progressive. Zuppi masks a radical agenda with synodal jargon and public affability. His ties to Sant’Egidio are no small concern.

Cardinal Anders Arborelius (Sweden)

The first Swedish cardinal since the Reformation. Known for promoting integration and ecumenism, he has been passive on liturgical and doctrinal decline.

Cardinal Charles Maung Bo (Myanmar)

A respected figure on human rights and interreligious peace, but theologically vague. Bo’s preference for politically correct language over doctrinal precision would prolong the Francis model.

Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa (Patriarch of Jerusalem)

Competent and seasoned, but theologically noncommittal. Pizzaballa echoes the Franciscan tone of neutrality and interfaith outreach—often at the expense of clarity.

Cardinal Wim Eijk (Netherlands)

A beacon of orthodoxy in a secular wasteland. Eijk is a courageous defender of Catholic teaching and a clear voice in moral confusion. He would be a strong candidate for restoration.

Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo Besungu (Congo)

A firm voice on moral issues and the Kingship of Christ, though sometimes softened by synodal language. His doctrinal soundness is welcome, but his rhetoric needs sharpening.

Cardinal Péter Erdő (Hungary)

A canonist and theologian of real depth. Erdő represents clarity, discipline, and doctrinal fidelity—a truly promising candidate for those longing for a return to order.

Cardinal Raymond Burke (USA)

The lion of Tradition. Burke is a fearless champion of the Latin Mass and the integrity of the Faith. Though politically sidelined, his election would ignite hope for authentic Catholic renewal.

Cardinal Peter Turkson (Ghana)

Moderately conservative and intelligent, but preoccupied with environmental and social agendas. Turkson lacks a robust liturgical vision but avoids doctrinal error—a mixed bag.

Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith (Sri Lanka)

A quiet but steadfast defender of Tradition. Ranjith has opposed liturgical abuses and upholds reverent worship. A papacy under him would be a calm but firm turn toward orthodoxy.

Cardinal Robert Sarah (Guinea)

A spiritual giant. Sarah radiates holiness and speaks with piercing clarity. A true disciple of Benedict XVI, he would restore reverence, silence, and doctrinal fidelity. Politically unlikely—but spiritually ideal.

In Conclusion:

Like so many other Catholics who love Christ and cling to the traditions of the Church, I can only do what is in my power: to pray, to fast, and to beg the Lord of Hosts to come to our aid.

We need a holy Pope. A man of fire and faith. A shepherd unafraid of wolves. A servant of the Truth who will guide the Bride of Christ with wisdom, courage, and fidelity.

And so I implore you, dear reader—if you are moved at all by what is at stake—join me in prayer and penance. Let us storm heaven with petitions for the kind of shepherd the Church desperately needs.

I leave you with the powerful prayer recommended by Bishop Athanasius Schneider:

Prayer to Implore Holy Popes

Holy Spirit! Holy Spirit! Holy Spirit!

Lord Jesus Christ, You are the Good Shepherd!

With Your almighty hand, guide Your pilgrim Church through the storms of every age.

Adorn the Apostolic See with holy Popes—men who do not fear worldly powers or compromise with the spirit of the age; men who preserve, strengthen, and defend the Catholic Faith even to the shedding of their blood; and who uphold, protect, and transmit the venerable liturgy of the Roman Church.

O Lord, raise up holy Popes inflamed with apostolic zeal, who will proclaim with boldness:

“Salvation is found in no one else but Jesus Christ. For there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:10–12)

Through an age of holy Popes, may the Holy See once again shine as the chair of truth for the entire world.

Through the intercession of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Mother of the Church, hear us and grant us many holy Popes.

Have mercy on us and hear us. Amen.

Ave Christus Rex!

Recognise & Resist!

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