Who will head Vatican? (photo)

The conclave dedicated to the election of a new Pope starts on Tuesday. No more than 117 cardinals will take part in it.

RIA Novosti notes that Europeans will form the biggest group of voters at the canclave (61 cardinals), 28 of them are Italians. Thus, Italy's representatives probably have more chances for success than the others.

71-year old Cardinal Angelo Scola of Milan is considered to be the strongest Italian candidate. He heads one of the biggest dioceses in the world and has great authority.

Another Italian - 70-year-old Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi, President of the Pontifical Council for Culture

70-year-old Cardinal Angelo Bagnasco, President of the Italian Episcopal Conference is also named among the contenders.

The name of Marc Ouellet (68),head of the Congregation of Bishops, is often mentioned among the "foreign" candidates.

68-year-old Archbishop of Vienna Christoph Schoenborn is considered one of the leading European candidates for Pope.

80-year-old Nigerian Cardinal Francis Arinze is also among the contenders. However, he is unlikely to participate in the election because of his age.

64-year-old Cardinal from Gana Peter Turkson has more chances to become the first African Pope of Rome.

63-year-old Brazilian of German origin, Archbishop of Sao Paolo Odilo Pedro Scherer is claimed to be one of the most promising Latin American candidates.

70-year-old Cardinal Oscar Andres Rodriguez Maradiaga from Honduras who heads the international humanitary organization Caritas is also mentioned among the favourites.

The youngest candidate - 55-year-old Archbishop of Manila Luis Antonio Tagle.

The first session of the conclave starts on Tuesday at about 7.30 p.m., Belarusian time.

Photo - AFP