After Pope Francis' death, focus turns to cardinals who will choose his successor

A general view of St Peter Basilica, after the death of Pope Francis was announced by the Vatican in a video statement, as seen from Rome, Italy April 21, 2025. REUTERS/Guglielmo Mangiapane

VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - With the death of Pope Francis, announced by the Vatican on Monday, Roman Catholics around the globe will start speculating on who among the red-robed cardinals will succeed him.

Given the nature of cardinal appointments Francis made during his papacy, there will inevitably be some expectation that the Argentine pontiff's successor will be another non-European, and that like Francis he could be another progressive, opposed to the Church's conservative wing.