Pope Francis passed on early Easter Monday, April 21, leaving a gap in the position he has occupied over the last decade since his election in 2013.
Following his passing, a conclave— an assembly of cardinals for the election of a pope— is expected to convene in the next 15 to 20 days to choose his replacement.
This period will allow for the funeral rites, a nine-day mourning period known as the novemdiales, and provide time for cardinals worldwide to travel to Vatican City.
The election will be conducted behind the closed doors of the Sistine Chapel by a College of Cardinals and will be guided by a combination of traditional, theological, and political considerations.
The College of Cardinals, which is composed of those under 80 years old, will vote via secret ballot, where a two-thirds majority is required to elect a new pope. If no consensus is reached, additional rounds of voting will continue until a new pope is chosen.
Vatican observers have revealed some of the top contenders to replace the 266th pope, including who could be the first African pope and a Filipino cardinal fondly known as the "Asian Pope Francis".
Peter Turkson
The Ghanaian national is in the running to become the most recent African pope. Currently, his odds stand at 5:1 in the betting markets.
Turkson, a 76-year-old, is a former head of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development and is widely known in the church's social justice circles as an advocate for climate change, poverty and economic justice.
The last time the Catholic Church was headed by a Black pope was between 492 and 496 AD, when Pope Gelasius, born to parents of African descent in Rome, ruled over the Church as the 49th pope.
Luis Antonio Tagle
Tagle, 67, is the leading contender to replace the pope with 3:1 odds in the betting markets.
The Filipino cardinal is expected to continue the inclusion agenda of Pope Francis.
Known as an advocate for inclusion and evangelisation, he was a trusted figure in Francis's inner circle.
His Asian heritage could also influence his election, as the Catholic Church has significantly grown across the continent and beyond Europe to Asia.
He is also fondly known as the Asian Pope Francis, clearly cementing how he is viewed in the church circles.
Pietro Parolin
Parolin is a 70-year-old Italian who currently serves as the Vatican's Secretary of State, a position he has held since 2013.
His 4:1 odds of winning the race are mostly backed by his experience in this role, which has provided him with experience outside religious issues.
He has played a major role in the diplomatic affairs of Vatican City, including holding major negotiations with China and Middle Eastern governments.
Parolin's bureaucratic experience is backed by his position as a moderate theological candidate who is seen as one of the candidates who could continue the legacy of Pope Francis.
Peter Erdő
Hailing from Hungary, this is among several European candidates in this year's papal election.
At 72, he is a respected canon law scholar and a strong advocate for traditional Catholic teachings and doctrine, which could mean a diversion from Pope Francis' values.
Erdő could appeal to Catholics seeking a return of conservative Catholic views championed by former popes like John Paul II and Benedict XVI.
He currently holds 6:1 odds in the betting markets.
Angelo Scola
At 82, Scola is the oldest contender on the top-five list.
In 2013, he lost to Pope Francis, although he had been a favourite in the lead-up to the conclave.
He is of Italian origin and a former Archbishop of Milan with deep theological roots. Like Erdő, his stance aligns more with a centralised and hierarchical church.
His 8:1 odds are mostly attributed to his advanced age and his views, which are a stark contrast to Pope Francis' more liberal ones.
