The Vegan Pope

In this imagined scenario, Pope Francis steps down in 2026 due to health reasons, succeeded by Romeo Reyes Paolo VII, a Filipino Pope, until his passing in 2032. Subsequently, Federico Natali assumes papal responsibilities, selecting the name Celestino VI. Natali is hailed as an innovative and environmentally conscious pope, building upon the legacies of his predecessors, Frances and Paolo VII, by ardently defending the environment and combatting poverty and racism. However, he introduces a profound element absent in the major monotheistic religions; reverence for the non-human inhabitants of the Earth. The declaration of his veganism sparks significant discord within the conclave, but sensitivity is changing, and many within the Church accept and appreciate Celestine VI’s choice.