Battle for future of church set to play out in conclave

The death of Pope Francis will throw into sharp relief the internecine power struggle that has been a hallmark of his papacy.

- Harriet Sherwood Angela Giuffrida Rome

A ferocious battle for the future of the church will now be played out with the highest of stakes within the sanctity of the Sistine Chapel.

There are more than 250 cardinals, but those over the age of 80 are ineligible to take part in the conclave. The 135 who are eligible will make their way to Rome in the coming days.

Francis appointed about 110 of the 135, casting his net wide across the globe. Some Vatican observers have suggested he stacked the conclave in favour of a successor likely to embrace his outlook and continue his work.

The appointments make it "difficult for an anti-Francis pope to emerge", said Iacopo Scaramuzzi, a Vatican journalist with La Repubblica newspaper and author of the book Tango Vaticano. La Chiesa al Tempo di Francesco (Vatican Tango. The Church in the Time of Francis).

"But it doesn't mean this group is unanimous and cohesive, or that they have the same ideas." There were conservatives as well as progressives among them, he added.

For example, Gerhard Ludwig Muller, a German cardinal Francis appointed, clashed with the late pope on numerous issues, including describing the decree to allow the blessing of gay couples as heresy.