I'm not Catholic but this process has always fascinated me, probably in part because it is so secretive, but also because the Pope is one of the most influential people on the planet. This is a Big Deal.
And of course, people are betting on the outcome. Per The Economist, here are the current odds for the top 10 likely contenders:
Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle of the Philippines might be the most "liberal" of the contenders, and for that reason I don't think he gets it. But he probably will get some nice appointment.
Cardinal Peter Turkson of Ghana is more conservative and is from the continent of Africa, where the Catholic Church is expanding. But I just don't see a black Pope now.
I'm going with Cardinal Pietro Parolin, who is the frontrunner. But that's not always a good thing, as there is an old saying "He who enters the conclave as Pope, leaves it as a Cardinal". Parolin was the Secretary of State for the Vatican, but most importantly (to me), he is from Italy.
If not Parolin, then I think Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa will get it. He's also from Italy, and wow what a name.
