Who will be the next pope? Some possible candidates
Cardinals enter a conclave on Wednesday to choose a new pope, leader of the world's 1.4-billion Roman Catholics. The secret election appears wide open but here are some of the names, in alphabetical order, being talked about as possible successors to Pope Francis, who died last month.
CARDINAL JEAN-MARC AVELINE
Aveline, 66, the archbishop of Marseille, is known for his easy-going nature, readiness to crack jokes and ideological proximity to Francis, especially on immigration and relations with the Muslim world. He has a doctorate in theology and a degree in philosophy.
Born in Algeria to a family of Spanish immigrants who moved to France after Algerian independence, he has lived most of his life in Marseille, a port city that has been a crossroads of cultures and religions for centuries.
Under Francis, Aveline became bishop in 2013, archbishop in 2019 and a cardinal three years later. His standing was boosted in September 2023 when he organised an international church conference on Mediterranean issues attended by Pope Francis.
Aveline would become the first French pope since the 14th century and the youngest pope since John Paul II.
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