Who are the frontrunners to be the next pope

In an event of global significance, 133 cardinals from 70 countries are gathering in Rome to elect the next pope. The conclave begins at 16:30 on Wednesday inside the iconic 15th-century Sistine Chapel. With all electors under the age of 80 and 80% appointed by Pope Francis, this is the most internationally diverse conclave in history—and the first where less than half of the voters are European.

The cardinals will vote in secrecy until one candidate gains a two-thirds majority. The decision will shape the direction of the Catholic Church and its 1.4 billion members worldwide. Leading contenders include Cardinal Pietro Parolin of Italy, Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle of the Philippines, and Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo Besungu of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

As speculation swirls and anticipation builds, the world watches to see who will emerge as the next leader of the Roman Catholic Church.