Following the death of Pope Francis, Cardinals are set to gather in Rome for the Papal Conclave to select his successor.
There will now be nine days of official mourning with the 1.3 billion Catholics around the world grieving the death of the 88-year-old. The historic conclave process to then pick the next Pope will begin no sooner than in 15 days time.
The Catholic Church may be poised for a historic shift, with several leading candidates who could become the first black or Asian Pope.
Francis was the first Latin American to lead the Church, potentially signalling a wider change in the institution's leadership.
Bookmakers and Vatican observers are now focusing on a diverse field of contenders from Africa, Asia and Europe to become the next Supreme Pontiff.
GB News has compiled the list of the Cardinals who may become the 267th Pope.
Cardinal Peter Turkson
Cardinal Peter Turkson, 76, would make history as the first black Pope if elected
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Cardinal Peter Turkson, 76, from Ghana, stands as a leading contender who would make history as the first black Pope if elected.
The former Bishop of Cape Coast was previously considered a favourite during the 2013 conclave when Francis was chosen.
Pope Francis sent Turkson as a peace envoy to South Sudan, highlighting his diplomatic credentials.
On contentious issues, Turkson occupies middle ground, particularly regarding gay relationships. He has argued that laws in many African countries are too harsh whilst maintaining that African perspectives on the subject must be respected.
Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle
Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle has criticised the Catholic Church for being too harsh towards gay and divorced couples
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Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, 67, has emerged as the frontrunner in betting markets to become the next Pope.
The former Archbishop of Manila would make history as the first Asian Pope, representing the region with the fastest-growing Catholic population.
Tagle is considered among the more liberal candidates, despite his opposition to abortion rights in the Philippines
He has criticised the Catholic Church for being too harsh towards gay and divorced couples, arguing this approach has hampered its evangelical work.
At 67, Tagle is also relatively young compared to some other contenders, potentially offering a longer papacy.
Cardinal Pietro Parolin
Cardinal Pietro Parolin is viewed as the closest to a 'continuity candidate' for Pope Francis
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Cardinal Pietro Parolin, 70, is viewed as the closest to a 'continuity candidate', having served as Cardinal Secretary of State under Pope Francis.
He occupies a moderate position, though not as aligned with the liberal wing as Francis sometimes appeared to be.
Parolin sparked controversy in 2015 when he described Ireland's legalisation of same-sex marriage as 'a defeat for humanity'.
His standing is thought to have diminished in recent years due to his role as architect of the 2018 agreement between the Holy See and China.
Some critics regard this agreement as a concession to the Chinese Communist Party.
The other contenders
The process of selecting the new Pope will not take place for at least 15 days
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Cardinal Peter Erdo, 72, the Archbishop of Esztergom-Budapest, would be the second Pope after John Paul II to have administered in the former Soviet bloc.
He is known as a deep conservative who has spoken against divorced or remarried Catholics receiving holy communion.
Cardinal Jose Tolentino, 59, from Portugal, represents the relative youth among candidates. He has held several Vatican roles and advocated for biblical scholars to engage with modern culture.
Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, 69, was appointed by Pope Francis as the Vatican peace envoy to Ukraine in 2023. He visited Moscow in this capacity, meeting with Patriarch Kirill.
Cardinal Mario Grech, 68, from Malta, has played a key role in advancing Pope Francis's vision for a more inclusive Church.
As Secretary General of the Synod of Bishops, Grech has called for the church to "learn a new language" when dealing with gay couples and divorcees, though he is also considered something of a traditionalist.
Cardinal Robert Sarah, 79, born in French Guinea, represents another possibility for the first black Pope, though his age may be a factor.
A conservative voice in the Church, Sarah has denounced gender ideology as a threat to society and spoken out against Islamic fundamentalism.
As Cardinals prepare to enter the conclave, the possibility of electing the first black or Asian Pope represents a potential watershed moment for the Catholic Church.
The selection of either Cardinal Turkson or Cardinal Tagle would signal a recognition of the Church's shifting demographics, with growth concentrated in Africa and Asia.
The next Pope will face significant challenges navigating divisive issues including the Church's approach to LGBTQ+ relationships, divorced Catholics, and relations with China.
Whether the Cardinals opt for continuity or change may depend on how they assess Pope Francis's legacy and the direction needed for the Church's future.
