Potential successors to Francis

WITH no official campaign nor list of candidates and an election process shrouded in secrecy, speculation about who will succeed Pope Francis after the conclave beginning yesterday is just that - speculation.

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But here are 15 cardinals who are among the potential favourites to succeed Pope Francis - so-called “papabili” -- divided by region.

Europe

Pietro Parolin (Italy), 70, was secretary of state - the Vatican's effective number two - during almost all of Francis’ pontificate and its most visible exponent on the world stage.

Known for his calm and subtle sense of humour, the polyglot also has a fine grasp of the intricacies of the Roman Curia, the Holy See's central government, and was part of a group of cardinal advisers to Francis.

Pierbattista Pizzaballa (Italy), 60, is the top Catholic in the Middle East with an archdiocese encompassing Israel, the Palestinian territories, Jordan and Cyprus.

Matteo Maria Zuppi (Italy), known for riding his bicycle around Bologna, 69-year-old Zuppi is a popular figure for his decades of work on behalf of the needy. He also advocates for welcoming migrants and gay Catholics into the Church.

Cristobal Lopez Romero (Spain), Spanish-born Cardinal Cristobal Lopez Romero, 72, has spent decades of his career in South America and has Paraguayan nationality. He is now based in Morocco, in majority-Muslim North Africa.

Jean-Marc Aveline (France), born in Algeria, 66-year-old Aveline has spent most of his life in the French port city of Marseille.

Like his close friend Pope Francis, he has been a voice for welcoming migrants and promoting interreligious dialogue.