Cardinal Charles Maung Bo, Archbishop of Yangon and the first Burmese cardinal in history, is mentioned among the possible successors to Pope Francis. At 76 years old, he embodies a profile that is both conservative and unifying, in contrast to other Asian figures closer to the current pope's line, such as Filipino Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle.

A Discreet but Remarkable Rise

Born in 1948 in a rural village and orphaned at a young age, he grew up in the Christian faith within a modest family. Trained by the Salesians, he was ordained a priest in 1976, became Bishop of Lashio in 1990, and then Archbishop of Yangon in 2003. Pope Francis made him a cardinal in 2015, as part of his desire to give more prominence to the Churches of the peripheries.

A Man of Faith and Diplomacy

Bo is recognized for his courageous commitment in a country marked by military dictatorship, notably his defense of minorities such as the Rohingya. A skilled diplomat, he advocates for national reconciliation and favors forgiveness over legal confrontation. He also founded a local missionary congregation to evangelize remote areas.

Conservative but Not Closed Off

Theologically influenced by Benedict XVI, Bo remains firm on doctrine but is not at odds with Francis' vision. He supports synodality and the Church’s role as a “field hospital,” though he rarely speaks out on controversial issues (sexuality, clericalism, etc.), which sometimes earns him criticism for his cautiousness.

A Papabile Profile?

Charismatic, multilingual, athletic, and close to the people, he enjoys international influence, notably through his presidency of the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences. He represents a credible conservative alternative, though some might consider his profile too atypical or not sufficiently aligned with reform expectations.