Ukrainian cardinal may become pope: what is known about Mykola Bychko
22 April 11:40
After the death of Pope Francis on April 21, 2025 , the global Catholic community is preparing for a conclave that will elect a new head of the Catholic Church. The name of a 45-year-old Ukrainian, Cardinal Mykola Bychko, has unexpectedly emerged among the potential candidates for the papal throne. The Week UK publication, citing sources close to the Vatican, included him in the list of papabili – those who can apply for the post of pontiff, "Komersant Ukrainian" reports
After the Pope’s death, the Vatican entered the period of sede vacante, when the College of Cardinals took over the management of the Church. Traditionally, this period lasts 15-20 days, during which the cardinals prepare for a conclave – a secret vote to elect a new pope.
Approximately one month after the Pope’s burial, the process of searching for a new leader of the Church will begin.
How is the new Pope elected?
The election of the Pope is held in a closed session during a conclave. At the time of writing, 137 cardinals under the age of 80 can participate in the conclave, although the official limit is 120. The overwhelming majority of these cardinals were appointed by Pope Francis, which largely forms the ideological basis of the upcoming election.
“The group that elects the pope is the most influential electorate in the world,” writes the Financial Times.
Unlike the election of political leaders, the process of electing a pope is completely closed to public pressure. Cardinals are isolated, limited in communication, and vote after a series of prayers and discussions.
How does the voting take place?
Voting in the conclave is a series of secret rounds, during which each cardinal voter writes the name of his candidate on the ballot. To elect a pope, at least two-thirds of the votes must be cast (if there are 137 voters, 92 votes). If the number of cardinals is not divisible by three, an additional vote is required.
Voting rounds. Four rounds are held daily: two in the morning and two in the afternoon. After each session, the ballots are burned in a special furnace, and the smoke goes out through the Sistine Chapel chimney:
- Black smoke (with added chemicals) means that the pope has not been elected.
- White smoke signals the successful election of a new pontiff.
Announcement ofthe result. After the required majority is reached, the new pope chooses a name, and the cardinal protodeacon announces to the world Habemus Papam!
The process can last from several hours to several days. For example, the election of Pope Francis in 2013 took two days, while in the past conclaves could last for weeks.
Who are the favorites for the papacy?
After the death of Pope Francis on April 21, 2025, attention has focused on the papabili – potential candidates for the office of pope. Although speculation about a successor during the pontiff’s lifetime is considered disrespectful, discussions have intensified since his death. Here are the key candidates:
- Pietro Parolin (Italy, 70 years old). Vatican Secretary of State, whom the US Catholic calls “a consummate diplomat.” He was involved in the 2014 US-Cuban thaw and the Vatican’s 2018 agreement with China. His moderate views make him a favorite in times of geopolitical instability.
- Luis Antonio Tagle (Philippines, 67). A charismatic and media-friendly cardinal who could become the first Asian pope. His progressive views on social justice are close to Francis’, and his fluency in English makes him a unique candidate.
- Peter Turkson (Ghana, 76). A representative of Africa, where the Catholic population is growing. His liberal views on the environment and homosexuality are controversial, which reduces his chances as a unifying candidate.
- Peter Erdo (Hungary, 72). A conservative intellectual who is considered a compromise choice. His experience in managing the church under Hungarian autocracy could be valuable.
- Mykola Bychok (Ukraine, 45). The youngest cardinal, bishop of the Melbourne Eparchy of the UGCC in Australia. His candidacy is a “wild card” because of his youth and active position on the war in Ukraine. As Daniel Gallagher noted in Crisis Magazine, history shows that young popes are not uncommon.
Who is Mykola Bychok?
Mykola Bychok is the Bishop of the Melbourne Eparchy of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church in Australia. He was born on February 13, 1980 in Ternopil, Ukraine. At the age of 17, he joined the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer (Redemptorists) and was ordained a priest in 2005. His spiritual journey took him through Ukraine, Poland, the United States, and Russia, where he did missionary work, including in Siberia at the parish of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Prokopyevsk (2005-2007).
From 2015 to 2020, he served in Newark, New Jersey, USA. In 2020, Pope Francis appointed him bishop of the Melbourne Eparchy of the UGCC, and on December 7, 2024, he was made a cardinal, making Bychok the youngest member of the College of Cardinals at the age of 44. His titular church was St. Sophia Cathedral in Rome, which has symbolic significance for the UGCC, as this title previously belonged to Patriarchs Myroslav-Ivan Lubachivsky and Lubomyr Husar.
on December 8, 2024, on the feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Cardinal Bychok served for the first time after his elevation to the rank of cardinal in St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican. The Mass was led by Pope Francis in concelebration with the College of Cardinals. Before the Mass, Bychok prayed at the relics of St. Josaphat Kuntsevich, which rest in the basilica.
According to Daniel Gallagher, former secretary to Popes Benedict XVI and Francis, Bychok “speaks eloquently of the suffering of his countrymen in the current war.” He believes that despite his relatively young age, the candidacy of the Ukrainian cardinal is not unrealistic.
Mykola Bychok on Pope Francis and his mission
Cardinal Bychok highly appreciated Pope Francis. In a post on social media after the pontiff’s death, he said:
“In a world devastated by war, he called for peace and justice. I am grateful to the late Holy Father for his frequent appeals for a just peace in Ukraine and for the efforts of the Holy See, known and secret, through which he helped bring relief to prisoners.”
Bychok also shared his personal memories of his appointment as cardinal:
“On December 7, 2024, when I was elevated to the College of Cardinals, I asked the Holy Father to pray for Ukraine, to help free the kidnapped Ukrainian children, and to pray for me in my new mission as Australian-Ukrainian Cardinal. Now I pray that Pope Francis will intercede before Christ for the people of Australia and Ukraine.”
He called on Catholics and people of good will to pray for Francis’ eternal repose and for the election of a worthy successor:
“I also ask for your prayers for the cardinals-elect who will meet at the Conclave, that the Holy Spirit may enlighten our hearts and minds so that we may choose a worthy candidate for the 267th Bishop of Rome and successor of St. Peter. I will travel to Rome as soon as possible to take part in the funeral rites of Pope Francis and stay in the Eternal City to participate in the Conclave that will elect his successor.”
Pilgrimage and participation in the conclave
At the time of Pope Francis’ death, Cardinal Bychok was on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. In a post on social media, he said that after the pilgrimage, he would travel to Rome to take part in the funeral rites of Pope Francis and in the conclave that will elect a new pontiff. For Bychko, this will be his first participation in the papal election, as he became a cardinal only a few months ago.
“I will go to Rome as soon as possible to take part in the funeral rites of Pope Francis and stay in the Eternal City to participate in the conclave,” the cardinal said.
It is important that Mykola Bychok is the only Ukrainian who will participate in the election of the next Pope, making him a unique representative of Ukraine in the Vatican.
Why can Mykola Bychok become the new pope?
- Age and energy. Although he is only 45, history knows examples of young pontiffs.
- A shepherd from the periphery. Pope Francis has actively promoted cardinals from the “periphery” – not from Rome, not from Italy, but from countries where the church is in an active mission and challenges.
- A symbol of Ukrainian resistance. At a time of global attention to Russia’s war against Ukraine, the election of a pope with Ukrainian roots would be a powerful message of peace and solidarity.
Why is Bychok’s candidacy important for Ukraine?
Even if Mykola Bychok does not become Pope, his presence in the College of Cardinals is a historic event for Ukraine. He is the voice of the Ukrainian people in the Vatican, which is especially important in times of war. Bychok has repeatedly called for prayers for Ukraine and supported the Holy See’s initiatives to release prisoners and end the conflict.
His appointment as a cardinal also emphasizes the importance of the UGCC in the global Catholic Church. As noted by the head of the UGCC, Sviatoslav Shevchuk, Bychok “strengthens the voice” of the Church, representing not only Australia but also Ukraine.
