Christopher White

The chimney on the Sistine Chapel is up, and voting to elect the next pope will begin on Wednesday afternoon, May 7. Here is the National Catholic Reporter's final roundup of the 12 leading front-runners.

He's a possible contender to succeed Pope Francis, but says he does not want the job.

Synodality may be the future, but pre-conclave meetings lack synodal style. 

Marseille's Cardinal Jean-Marc Aveline is not widely considered a top-tier contender as cardinals approach the May 7 conclave to elect a new pope. But the French cardinal is still worth taking seriously.

At age 60, Franciscan Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa bears an undeniably impressive resume. And yet, his relatively youthful age is likely what will rule him out as a potential pope in this conclave.

German Jesuit Fr. Hans Zollner urges "a clear message from the cardinals and from the newly elected pope that the church is set to continue and strengthen what has been achieved so far." 

As secretary general of the Synod of Bishops, Maltese Cardinal Mario Grech oversaw the Vatican meetings that advanced Francis' vision of synodality — a church where everyone participates in decisions and the mission.

Cardinal Gérald Lacroix, archbishop of Quebec City, emerged as a major powerbroker during the Pope Francis era. Yet sexual misconduct allegations — even though effectively cleared — may cast a shadow.

It is typically absurd to think of an American as pope. But in this conclave, a Chicago-born Augustinian friar who has spent much of his life outside of the United States is worthy of serious consideration.

The likely top candidate for the conservative wing of the College of Cardinals is Esztergom–Budapest Cardinal Peter Erdo, known for embracing the anti-migrant views of Hungary's prime minister, Viktor Orban.

One hundred and eighty-three cardinals were present at the meeting, 124 of whom were cardinal-electors. Fourteen cardinals offered individual speeches, including on the themes of synodality, the Second Vatican Council, polarization and evangelization. 

A leading voice among his confreres in Africa, Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo Besungu of the Democratic Republic of Congo is known for his environmental advocacy, and made news for pushback on blessing homosexual couples.

Will the conclave write papal poetry and pick a 59-year-old theologian and fisherman's son for the seat of St. Peter? Or will Cardinal José Tolentino de Mendonça have to wait until next time?

Italian Cardinal Pietro Parolin served as Pope Francis' top aide and by all accounts was a loyal deputy. But in recent years, Parolin's stock has been on the rise among more traditional-leaning prelates.

Two of the eligible cardinal electors have informed the Holy See that they will not be able to participate in the conclave for health reasons, bringing the number of electors to 133.

Cardinal Joseph Tobin's ecclesial resume was built predominantly outside of the U.S., which might ease concerns about an Americentric papacy. And cardinal electors might be attracted to his story of Vatican exile.

They call him the "Asian Francis" because his personal simplicity and emphasis on the poor and marginalized mirror Pope Francis' life. Now, Filipino Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle is again a contender to be pope.

The decision was made during a closed-door meeting of the College of Cardinals and announced at a media briefing at the Vatican.

In closed-door sessions called congregations, cardinals have given 70 speeches to their brethren. The conclave is likely to begin May 6.

A simplified papal funeral will make a fitting farewell for a pontiff who just three days after his surprise election expressed his desire for "a church that is poor and for the poor."