As of now, the Catholic Church's leadership structure does not allow for a female pope. The position of pope is traditionally held by a cardinal, and only men can be ordained as cardinals, bishops, and priests in the Catholic Church.
However, if the Church were to change its stance on female leadership, there are several prominent Catholic women—such as theologians, nuns, and lay leaders—who could be considered influential figures. Some possibilities might include:
- Sister Nathalie Becquart – A French nun who serves as the undersecretary of the Synod of Bishops, making her one of the highest-ranking women in the Vatican.
- Sister Simone Campbell – An American social justice advocate and former leader of NETWORK, a Catholic social justice lobby.
- Professor Phyllis Zagano – A leading scholar on women’s roles in the Catholic Church, particularly the diaconate.
While a female pope remains unlikely under current Church doctrine, discussions about increasing women's roles in Church leadership are ongoing.