Cardinal Lazarus You Heung-sik, the first South Korean to head a department of the Roman Curia, has been named among the top contenders for the papacy by Italy’s largest daily newspaper.

On April 22 (local time), the Italian daily Corriere della Sera named a total of 12 potential candidates for the next pope on April 22 (local time) ahead of the conclave to choose Pope Francis' successor. It is a highly regarded newspaper in the global Catholic community due to its well-established network of sources within the Vatican.

Cardinal You was the 11th name mentioned, following fellow Asian Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle of the Philippines. The newspaper described You as “a member of the Focolare Movement who sought reconciliation between North and South Korea,” and “a figure who pursues dialogue for peace and reconciliation.”

““Focolare” is an Italian word that means “fireplace.” The movement was founded in 1943 during World War II with the aim of living out Christ’s teachings through love, in response to the destruction caused by war. It is officially registered with the Vatican under the name “Work of Mary” and has grown into an international lay apostolic organization.

You has a special relationship with Pope Francis. He played a key role in the Pope’s visit to South Korea in August 2014. Impressed by Cardinal You’s humility, his concern for the marginalized, and his exceptional leadership skills, Pope Francis appointed him in June 2021 as Prefect of the Dicastery for the Clergy, making him the first South Korean to hold such a high-ranking position in the Vatican. The appointment was seen as groundbreaking, as such high-ranking Vatican roles had traditionally been filled by clergy from Western countries. At the time, You was serving as the Bishop of Daejeon, a diocese on the periphery of the Catholic world.

You also played a major role in the installation of a statue of Korea's first Catholic priest, St. Andrew Kim Tae-gon, in 2023, in St. Peter’s Basilica. It was the first time in Catholic history that a statue of an Asian had been installed in St. Peter's Basilica.

Other leading candidates listed by Corriere della Sera include Cardinals Pietro Parolin, Matteo Zuppi, and Pierbattista Pizzaballa (from Italy), Fridolin Ambongo Besungu (Democratic Republic of Congo), Blase Cupich and Joseph Tobin (the U.S.), Péter Erdő (Hungary), Anders Arborelius (Sweden), Jean-Marc Aveline (France), and Juan José Omella (Spain). The paper noted that while three of the candidates are Italian, the remaining nine are from other countries.

In a statement mourning Pope Francis, You said, “Pope Francis truly loved Korea. I remember that his prayers for Korea always included both the South and the North.” He added, “The Pope didn’t merely speak of the poor and the marginalized, but he physically moved and acted to be closer to them.”

You is expected to participate in the upcoming conclave, which will be held in the Sistine Chapel between 15 and 20 days after the Pope’s passing.