All cardinals under the age of 80 can take part in the secret ballot. They need a majority of at least two-thirds plus one to elect the new pope, so the voting can take several rounds spread over numerous days.

Here are some of those being considered likely choices — referred to as ‘papabili’ — to be the next pope.

Luis Antonio Tagle

Cardinal Luis Tagle, 67, is a popular choice to be the next pope. Source: AP / Andrew Medichini

Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, from the Philippines, would be the first pope from Asia if elected as a result of the conclave.

He comes from what some call Asia’s Catholic lung, as the Philippines has the region’s largest Catholic population.

Tagle is considered a more progressive option to be the next pope.

Pietro Parolin

Cardinal Pietro Parolin, 70, is considered the pope’s deputy as the Vatican’s Secretary of State. Source: AP / Michael Sohn

Italian cardinal Pietro Parolin has been a high-ranking Vatican official and served as Pope Francis’ secretary of state since 2013, the year Francis was elected.

Parolin is seen as a compromise candidate between progressives and conservatives.

Peter Turkson

Cardinal Peter Turkson, 76, has served as chancellor of the Pontifical Academies of Sciences since 2022. Credit: AP

Cardinal Peter Turkson is a member of the church working in Ghana and would be the first pope from sub-Saharan Africa.

The fourth son in a family of 10 children, he studied at seminaries in Ghana and New York and was ordained in 1975.

He has been vocal on issues like climate and economic justice while affirming the church’s traditional positions on the priesthood, marriage between a man and a woman, and homosexuality.

Peter Erdo

Cardinal Peter Erdo, 72, has been the Archbishop of Budapest since 2003. Source: AP / Attila Kovacs

A leading conservative candidate, Hungarian cardinal Peter Erdo is the archbishop of Budapest and is considered a traditionalist.

For those seeking a return to the conservatism of previous popes, Erdo would represent a major shift away from Francis’ more progressive approach.

Angelo Scola

Cardinal Angelo Scola, 83, is one of the older candidates for pope and previously served as Archbishop of Milan. Credit: AP

Italian cardinal Angelo Scola is a long-standing papal contender and was among the favourites in the 2013 conclave that ultimately elected Pope Francis.