The men who would be Pope

FOLLOWING the pope’s stunning announcement, the time for the Catholic Church to elect its first non-European leader is approaching — and it could be a Latin American.

The region already represents 42% of the world’s 1.2bn-strong Catholic population, the largest single block in the Church, compared to 25% in its European heartland.

After the Pole John Paul, below, and German-born Benedict, the post once reserved for Italians is now open to all. Who gets the nod depends on the profile of the new pope that the cardinals who elect him at the next conclave think will guide the Church best.