Following Pope Francis’s death, the College of Cardinals is preparing for the conclave to elect his successor. With 80% of the electors appointed by Pope Francis, the selection process is highly unpredictable, as the cardinals don’t fit into traditional categories of conservative or progressive.

Pope Francis’s reforms, including appointing cardinals from regions like Tonga, Papua New Guinea, and South Sudan, have reshaped the Church’s leadership. For the first time in history, a majority of electors are non-European, which raises the possibility of a pope from Asia, Africa, or the Americas.

Prominent candidates include Pietro Parolin (Italy), Luis Antonio Tagle (Philippines), Fridolin Ambongo Besungu (Congo), Peter Turkson (Ghana), and Robert Sarah (Guinea), among others. The cardinals will consider various factors such as personality, geography, and theology in choosing the new pope. The decision will have significant implications for the future direction of the Catholic Church, balancing tradition with Pope Francis’s progressive approach to leadership.