Next Pope Update: Frontrunner Under Scrutiny Over Resurfaced China Deal

Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the current bookmakers' favorite to be the next pope, is facing renewed scrutiny over a deal he made with China seven years ago.

The 70-year-old Vatican Secretary of State has long been in the running as a contender to replace Pope Francis as the head of the Catholic church, which explains why the 2018 deal he made with the Chinese Communist Party is once again under the spotlight.

Newsweek has contacted the Vatican, via email, for comment.

The Context

Trump posts AI image of himself as Pope amid Vatican's search for new pontiff

President Donald Trump appears to have his eye on a new gig after being back in the Oval Office for just over 100 days. 

On Friday, the president posted an AI-generated image of himself as the pope on Truth Social, and it has gone viral. Less than a week prior to the post, Trump was in Rome attending the funeral for the late Pope Francis. As the Vatican searches for a new pontiff, it seems Trump is jokingly throwing his hat in the ring.

Trump, Zelenskyy meet privately ahead of pope's funeral

President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met privately in St. Peter's Basilica on Saturday before attending the funeral for Pope Francis.

French President Emmanuel Macron also spoke to Trump and Zelenskyy before they sat down to talk, according to a video posted by White House deputy chief of staff Dan Scavino.

White House Communications Director Steven Cheung told the press pool traveling with Trump that the two men had a "very productive session." More details about the meeting "will follow," he said...

Pope Francis Dies at 88

Pope Francis, leader of the Catholic Church, died early Monday morning after a long battle with chronic lung disease and complications from pneumonia. The pope was 88 and had served as pope since 2013. Following his death, the Vatican has begun preparing for the conclave where cardinals will vote on the next pope.