The first general congregations, the gathering where cardinals become acquainted with each other and where the general outlines of the next pontificate (not yet the name of the pontiff) are being set. Since Francis appointed 99 of the 132 cardinals who are qualified (under age limit) to elect the new Pope, a prosecution of his line should be assured. However, God (and the Holy Spirit) work in mysterious ways.
The conclave is divided into regional (European, South American, North American, African, and Asian) and “ideological” (radical, moderate, and conservative) blocs. The ideological blocs overlap the regional blocs. For example, some Africans are moderates and some radical, like the South Americans. The North Americans are conservative. Since an Argentine was just Pope, another cardinal from that continent would not be elected. They can move votes, though, as can other regional and ideological blocs. Moderates include the Italians Parolin and Pizzaballa, while Zuppi is considered a radical.
All three of the above are in the list of “Papabili,” but there is a famous saying: “He who enters [the Conclave] as Pope, exits as Cardinal.” Nevertheless in Rome, what they call “Il Toto-Papa” has started (the name is taken from the popular soccer prize draw “Totocalcio"). Here is the list of the “Papabili”:
Pietro Parolin (Italy)
Matteo Maria Zuppi (Italy)
Pierbattista Pizzaballa (Italy/Jerusalem)
Luis Antonio Tagle (Philippines)
Jean-Marc Aveline (France)
Péter Erdő (Hungary)
Mario Grech (Malta)
Jean-Claude Hollerich (Luxembourg)
Fridolin Ambongo Besungu (Democratic Republic of Congo)
Peter Kodwo Appiah Turkson (Ghana)
