Who will be the next pope? Some potential candidates who might succeed Francis

 A ‘continuity’ pick, the possible first Asian pope or first black pontiff in centuries are among likely contenders

Clockwise from left: Cardinal Pietro Parolin; Cardinal José Tolentino de Mendonça; Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle; Cardinal Mario Grech; Cardinal Peter Turkson. Pictures: Wikimedia Commons

Predicting the outcome of the highly secretive papal conclave is near impossible as cardinals’ positions shift over successive votes and some try to game the system to influence the chances of their favoured – or least-favoured – candidates. 

In the last conclave in 2013, few predicted that Jorge Mario Bergoglio would be elected as Pope Francis. At the moment, speculation is focusing on these men to succeed him: