Pizzaballa, 60, Once Offered Himself in Exchange for Hostages. Now the Cardinal Could Be the Next Pope
An expert tells PEOPLE that Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa was quite close to Pope Francis and is seen as being an "extremely skilled" diplomat
Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa could be a contender to be Pope Francis' successor, some experts say
The Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem offered himself in exchange for children taken hostage by Hamas back in 2023
Pizzaballa is an experienced diplomat and one of three Italian cardinals seen as a possible papal contender, an expert tells PEOPLE
As the world waits for Pope Francis' successor to be chosen, some say Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa is a legitimate contender.
The 60-year-old Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem has lived in the city since 1990, navigating a politically charged region and three major religions with grace, according to the New York Times. Although many people may have only heard of him recently (for one, his last name has inspired a number of memes), he previously made news when he offered himself up in exchange for children taken hostage by Hamas after their October 2023 attack on southern Israel. At the time, he had been a cardinal for just two weeks.
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"Anything, if this can lead to freedom and bring those children back home, no problem," he said while speaking with Vatican reporters. "On my part, absolute willingness."
Reflecting on the reaction during a subsequent interview with CNN, Pizzaballa acknowledged that what he said that day was 'very naive" and noted that his comments were not universally well-received. 'Why Israeli children and not for the Palestinian children? My answer was… also for them I'm ready. No problem," he told the outlet.
Related: Pope Francis Buried at St. Mary Major, a Church with 'Very Beautiful' Connection to His Faith
Isabella Bonotto/Anadolu Agency via Getty Pope Francis presented the red biretta hat to Cardinal Pizzaballa on Sept. 30, 2023 at the Vatican.
Two weeks before Francis' death on April 21, the cardinal spoke more about the war that has brought widespread devastation to Gaza.
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'Every man of faith has questions, including myself,' said Pizzaballa, according to CNN. 'You are so frustrated from the situation, and you ask, 'Where are you?' to God. 'Where are you?' Then I come to myself and I understand the question should be, 'Where is man now? What have we done with our humanity?''
'We cannot consider God guilty of what we are doing,' he said, according to CNN.
Throughout his lifetime, Pope Francis was outspoken in his criticism of Israel, called for an end to the ongoing violence in Gaza and, in a final gift, sent his popemobile to serve as a health clinic for children in Gaza.
Related: Nun Who Broke Vatican Protocol to Mourn Friend Pope Francis Remembers Him as a 'Brother'
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Pizzaballa, who grew up in poverty in northern Italy, has developed a reputation for his kindness to the poor and his ability to build connections between peoples. While he isn't based in the Vatican, his respect for traditional aspects of church practice have softened the perspective of some conservatives, the Times reported.
The cardinal's connection to Italy, the storied seat of the Catholic Church for many centuries, also helps his chances.
Carmine Soprano, a Vatican analyst and UN consultant, tells PEOPLE that the three Italian candidates, Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, Cardinal Pietro Parolin and Cardinal Pizzaballa, were all "quite close to Francis."
Each of the candidates would, "in different ways, represent a continuation of his progressive agenda," Soprano adds.
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the expert explains that Pizzaballa is 'one of the most experienced' people in the church in issues regarding the Middle East.
'These three are not only perceived to be Francis-friendly, and therefore progressive, but also to be extremely skilled diplomats,' Soprano continues. 'So, their election might signify that the Conclave is looking for someone who is not only trying to continue Francis' progressive agenda, but also has the skills and the Vatican inside knowledge that will almost certainly be required to push that agenda forward.'
However, as other experts have told PEOPLE, when it comes to the conclave, anything can happen — and oftentimes, those seen as a frontrunners don't end up becoming pope.
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Related: Who Will Be the Next Pope? Experts Say 'Anything Can Happen' (Exclusive)
If elected as pope, it's his faith that will see him through.
'Faith is the only thing you can grasp, you can keep alive, in your life,' Pizzaballa previously told CNN. He added, 'faith is a way to transcend yourself, to go beyond yourself. Faith is to believe in someone else.'
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