As preparations are made for Pope Francis’s funeral, there is already much speculation about who might succeed him, a risky process as supposed ‘front-runners’ are seldom elected. Also, Francis’ appointments of many new cardinals have complicated analysis. Among possible contenders are Pierbattista Pizzaballa, a Middle East expert with minimal ties to Vatican politics, and Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s secretary of state, a seasoned diplomat known for fostering relations with China and Vietnam. From Africa, Fridolin Ambongo was a close advisor to Francis, though he is conservative on key issues. Luis Antonio Tagle of the Philippines, dubbed the ‘Asian Francis’, is pastoral and inclusive, while Matteo Zuppi of Italy has been active in peace efforts and LGBTQ+ pastoral outreach. Conservative voices back Peter Erdo of Hungary, known for his scholarly and traditionalist stance. Lastly, Anders Arborelius, Sweden’s first cardinal, advocates unity in a polarised world while defending traditional doctrine. The choice will reflect whether the Church wishes to continue Francis’ legacy or change direction.