15 potential successors to Pope Francis

Pope Francis waves at the crowd from the popemobile in Ajaccio, as part of his trip on the French island of Corsica, on December 15, 2024. Pope Francis died on April 21, 2025 aged 88, a day after making a much hoped-for appearance at Saint Peter's Square on Easter Sunday. [AFP]

The April 21 death of Pope Francis triggered a period of mourning in the Catholic Church, but also kick-started the race for his successor.

Whether diplomats, theologians, mediators or Vatican insiders, here are 15 cardinals who are among the potential favourites to become the next pope, known as the "papabili", divided by region.