The Catholic Church has entered a period of mourning following the death of Pope Francis, who passed away from a stroke on April 21 at the age of 88.
The death of Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, triggers the sede vacante, the period during which the papacy is vacant. After nine days of mourning, the Church will convene a conclave of 120 cardinal electors, all under 80, to choose the next Pope. Voting will be held in secret within the Sistine Chapel until a two-thirds majority is achieved.
Francis, elected in 2013 after the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI, was the first Latin American Pope and shaped a more progressive College of Cardinals, with roughly 80% of the current electors appointed by him.
Several prominent figures are seen as frontrunners. French Cardinal Jean-Marc Aveline is considered a favorite, while American Cardinal Joseph Tobin is noted for his progressive stance on LGBTQ+ inclusion. Spanish Cardinal Juan Jose Omella and Hungarian Cardinal Péter Erdő represent more conservative options. Other strong candidates include Italian Secretary of State Pietro Parolin, Ghanaian Cardinal Peter Turkson, and Filipino Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, who could become the first modern Asian Pope.
Source: Time