There is no list of candidates or outward campaigning. For centuries the pope has been selected by the College of Cardinals, and they usually choose one of their own. We've narrowed it down to those we think have the best shot. The word for a possible pope is papabile.
Keep in mind, half of all cardinal-electors (67 out of 125) are Europeans. A full quarter of those voting would be Italians. All of the elector-Cardinals were appointed by John Paul II and Benedict XVI.
Cardinals lose their vote after age 80. But the papabile include a Canadian, an African, and at least one American.
