Who is Mario Grech, the progressive ‘dark horse’ cardinal considered a leading contender to become the next Pope

Among the most under-the-radar candidates heading into the papal conclave is Mario Grech, the Maltese cardinal and current secretary general of the Synod of Bishops. As the conclave opens on May 7, 2025, Grech has emerged as a key player. Considered by many to be the progressive “dark horse,” he brings together pastoral experience, strong alignment with Pope Francis’s reform agenda, and an inclusive vision for the Church.

Grech’s beginnings in the Catholic Church

Born on February 20, 1957, in Qala, Gozo (Malta), Grech was ordained a priest in 1984. He earned degrees in civil and canon law from the Pontifical Lateran University and later completed a doctorate in canon law at the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas.

In 2005, Pope Benedict XVI appointed him Bishop of Gozo, a role he held until 2019. That year, Pope Francis named him pro-secretary general of the Synod of Bishops, and in 2020 he officially took over as secretary general. He was made a cardinal in November 2020.

Mario Grech’s doctrinal evolution

Grech has become a leading advocate for synodality—promoting a more participatory Church open to dialogue. Under his leadership, the Synod of Bishops has engaged with complex topics such as the role of women in the Church, inclusion of the LGBTQ community, and lay involvement in Church governance. His approach seeks to bridge the divide between reformist and traditionalist factions within the Church.

Although initially viewed as a conservative, Grech has undergone a notable shift toward more inclusive positions. In 2017, alongside Archbishop Charles Scicluna, he issued pastoral guidelines allowing divorced and remarried Catholics to receive Communion after a period of discernment—an interpretation aligned with the apostolic exhortation Amoris Laetitia. He has also voiced support for the legal recognition of same-sex civil unions in Malta, emphasizing respect and non-discrimination.

Expectations heading into the conclave

At 68, Grech is seen as a candidate capable of continuing—and deepening—the reforms launched under Pope Francis. His work with the Synod has given him a broad international network and a keen understanding of the Church’s modern challenges. Still, his progressive profile may face pushback from more conservative members of the College of Cardinals.

See also: The longest conclave in history: 1,006 days, cardinals dying, and only bread and water

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