In the midst of the digital communication era, even the Vatican has adapted to the language of likes, links, and algorithms. With the new conclave making headlines around the world, one can’t help but wonder: how do the cardinals who could become the next Pope communicate online? Here, we analyze the digital presence of some of the most talked-about names… and what their social media tells us about them.
To do so, we looked for the online profiles of some of the papabile cardinals highlighted by the specialized press in recent days. Thus, we considered:
Honestly, in the newsroom we didn’t have high hopes that many of these cardinals would be great communicators on social media, despite the efforts of their predecessor, Pope Francis, to modernize the ways of delivering his messages, as we told you in this article after his death. It’s clear that digitalization was a key component during Pope Francis’s papacy, and during his tenure we witnessed everything from the popularization of his social media profiles to the launch of a prayer app.
But out of those twelve papabile cardinals, only four have an online presence. Here’s what we found:
American Cardinal Raymond Burke has gained notoriety before the conclave for his ultraconservative stance and defense of traditional liturgy, but he is the one who has worked the most on his online presence. On his personal website cardinalburke.com, he offers an institutional, serious profile and shares homilies, doctrinal writings, and direct statements.
Beyond his website, he uses social media like Twitter and Instagram to spread his messages. He has around 140,000 followers across both platforms.
(Conclave Novena Prayer in Latin) Oratio Novendialis Pro Sacro Cardinalium Collegio Romae Congregato in Conclavi Ad Romanum Pontificem Eligendum Ad pedes tuos proiectus, O Virgo Dei Mater, Domina Nostra de Guadalupe, te supplico, mater compassiva omnium qui te amant, qui ad te… pic.twitter.com/wz6I42ujZY — Cardinal Burke (@cardinalrlburke) May 5, 2025
(Conclave Novena Prayer in Latin) Oratio Novendialis Pro Sacro Cardinalium Collegio Romae Congregato in Conclavi Ad Romanum Pontificem Eligendum
Ad pedes tuos proiectus, O Virgo Dei Mater, Domina Nostra de Guadalupe, te supplico, mater compassiva omnium qui te amant, qui ad te… pic.twitter.com/wz6I42ujZY
— Cardinal Burke (@cardinalrlburke) May 5, 2025
His digital strategy acts more as a doctrinal loudspeaker than a network for dialogue: constant posting, but without direct interaction. It’s a strategy that appeals to a specific audience but also limits his reach to new publics. This was one of his most successful Instagram posts:
Ver esta publicación en Instagram Una publicación compartida por Cardinal Raymond Burke (@cardinalraymondburke)
Una publicación compartida por Cardinal Raymond Burke (@cardinalraymondburke)
From the Philippines, Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle stands out for a more empathetic and open style of communication. With an active presence on Facebook, Tagle uses social media as modern evangelization tools. His posts, the latest just a few days ago, are followed by a community of 640,000 users, and combine messages of faith with social reflections, warm imagery, and calls for dialogue.
That open and friendly tone is evident in his communications, where he often shows a kind demeanor, as can be seen in the photos on his profile, far removed from the usual formal standard and showcasing his approachability. His public manner and even his attire differ greatly from those of Burke, for example.
In addition, Cardinal Tagle also has a Twitter profile, though he hasn’t used it since 2012, and an Instagram account, inactive for four years.
French Cardinal Jean-Marc Aveline, Archbishop of Marseille, maintains a more moderate and formal online presence. He doesn’t run personal social media accounts, but his activities are shared through official channels like his diocese’s website or his Facebook page, with six thousand followers. His latest post, from a few days ago, is related to his presence at the conclave.
Finally, Sri Lankan Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith has an almost residual digital presence. His Facebook profile is minimal and doesn’t appear to follow any communication strategy. His message remains anchored in traditional values, but without major digital gestures.
Although none of these cardinals have ventured onto TikTok, YouTube, or Twitch (yet), their profiles show how online communication can also be a thermometer of pastoral style. The next Pope will not only have to provide spiritual guidance to the Church but also manage its public image in a hyperconnected world.
Who knows, maybe in 2025 we won’t hear “Habemus Papam,” but rather “Habemus trending topic.”
Image: Depositphotos
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