Who are the possible contenders to replace Pope Francis?

After a nine-day mourning period and funeral for Pope Francis, known as the Novendia, the Catholic Church will arrange the next conclave.

The mysterious process, which is not open to the public, will take place in the Sistine Chapel in Vatican City.

Here, the College of Cardinals will gather to elect the church’s next head. The rules, as of 22 January 2025, state there are 138 electors out of 252 cardinals. Only those under the age of 80 may take part in the secret ballot.

Four rounds of voting take place daily until one cardinal receives a two-thirds majority of the vote. The process typically lasts 15 to 20 days.

There are no rules for how long a conclave can last. The longest conclave recorded began in 1268 in Viterbo in Italy and lasted nine years; in 1939, the one that elected Pope Pius XII lasted just one day.

Pope Francis was elected after five ballots over two days, and Benedict after four ballots in two days.