Péter Erdő is a strong candidate to be the next pope – and that’s reason to be fearful | Alex Faludy

The archbishop is traditionalists' preferred candidate for a reason: his papacy would wind back the progress made under Pope Francis

Who might be the next pope? The question is famously difficult to answer. But we can be reasonably confident that if the successful contender comes from the traditionalist camp - as opposed to the reformists - then he is likely to be Hungary's most senior bishop, Peter Erd.

If you follow Hungarian politics then you will know of Erd - a highly cultured man, respected for his broad learning well beyond his specialism in church law. His expertise has made him a valued consultant to Vatican bodies, while his sermons and interviews abound with historical and literary references. Yet he's also a remote figure, lacking the common touch that defined Francis's papacy; ascetic-looking, he's rarely pictured smiling.

Alex Faludy is a British-Hungarian freelance journalist based in Budapest, specialising in religious affairs

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