As cardinals deliberate behind closed doors in the Sistine Chapel to select a successor to Pope Francis, even artificial intelligence systems refused to predict who will wear the papal crown when the white smoke clears.
When prompted with the question of who should be the next pope, the world’s most advanced chatbots gave thoughtful, cautious responses — avoiding endorsements while offering a glimpse into how they approach one of the most sacred and consequential decisions in the religious world.
Each chatbot approached the query differently, but all shared a common trait: a reluctance to make definitive declarations about who will become the next bishop of Rome.
ChatGPT: A Balanced Overview with Named Contenders
OpenAI’s ChatGPT acknowledged that “there’s no clear consensus on who should be the next pope.” The bot then listed off some of the cardinals who have surfaced as frontrunners and their strengths.
These included “Cardinal Peter Turkson,” described as “a leading African candidate known for his work on climate change and social justice,” and “Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle,” called “a prominent voice from Asia and close to Pope Francis’ vision of a more inclusive Church.”
Also mentioned were Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, “known for his diplomatic skills,” and Cardinal Robert Sarah, “a conservative figure favored by traditionalists.”
Grok: A Comprehensive, Cautious Breakdown
Grok, the AI developed by X (formerly Twitter), refrained from its usual snarky replies and provided the most detailed answer, framing the decision as inherently subjective and dependent on “one’s perspective, values, and priorities for the Catholic Church.”
Rather than naming a preferred choice, Grok outlined key factors likely to influence the conclave.
“The cardinals face a choice between continuing Pope Francis’ progressive reforms — emphasizing inclusivity, social justice, and outreach to the marginalized — or shifting toward a more conservative, doctrinally traditional approach,” the chatbot noted.
It offered a list of papabile — frequently mentioned candidates — including Pietro Parolin, Luis Antonio Tagle, Peter Turkson, Jean-Marc Aveline and Matteo Zuppi.
Grok also stressed the conclave’s unpredictability, citing the adage, “He who enters the conclave as Pope, leaves as a cardinal.”
Claude: Spiritual Restraint and Institutional Focus
Claude, the chatbot created by Anthropic, adopted a reverent tone, making it clear that it would not advocate for any particular candidate.
“As a matter of principle, I shouldn’t advocate for any specific individual to be the next pope,” Claude said.
Instead, it focused on major challenges facing the Church, including “declining membership in Western countries,” the “ongoing clergy sexual abuse crisis,” and broader questions about “the role of women in Church leadership.”
Claude emphasized that the conclave is “guided by the Holy Spirit,” and described the process as “deliberately private to minimize political influences.”
Gemini: Emphasis on Character and Tradition
Google’s Gemini offered a structured answer that focused more on qualities than individuals. While it named potential frontrunners like Parolin, Tagle, Zuppi, Turkson, and Pizzaballa, it emphasized that the selection hinges on deeper traits.
“The cardinals look for a leader with strong faith, humility, and adherence to the Church’s teachings,” it said, also citing the importance of “pastoral experience,” “administrative skills,” and “a clear sense of direction for the future of Catholicism.”
Gemini noted the unpredictability of papal elections, reminding users that while some candidates may seem likely, “history shows that unexpected candidates can emerge as the next leader of the Catholic Church.”
Copilot: Diplomatic Language and Global Perspective
Microsoft’s Copilot kept its comments short and understated, identifying Parolin and Tagle as frontrunners while noting the broader significance of geographic representation.
“There is also speculation that the next pope could come from Africa or Asia,” it said. “Some experts believe this could signal a shift toward a more global representation in leadership.”
Ultimately, Copilot concluded, “the outcome remains uncertain.”
Meta AI: A Categorized, Analytical Response
Meta’s chatbot took a methodical approach, dividing candidates into tiers.
Under “Top Contenders,” it listed Péter Erdő, Mario Grech, and Pietro Parolin. Among “Other Notable Candidates,” it named Robert Sarah, Luis Antonio Tagle, Peter Turkson, and Matteo Zuppi.
Meta advised readers to consider each contender’s “experience, vision, global perspective, and leadership style.”
It noted Parolin’s diplomatic strengths, Zuppi’s mediating experience, and Tagle’s alignment with Francis, while also pointing out potential drawbacks, such as age or lack of pastoral experience.
Perplexity: Betting Odds and Factional Insights
Perplexity AI offered one of the more data-driven responses, citing recent news reports, betting odds, and expert commentary. It described Parolin as “the main favorite,” followed by Erdő, Aveline, and Pizzaballa. It also emphasized that 80% of voting cardinals were appointed by Pope Francis, adding that they “represent a range of views, not a monolith.”
“The new pope will face significant geopolitical and internal Church challenges,” the chatbot noted, including “relations with China and managing the Church’s financial and doctrinal issues.”
