Vatican City, April 22 -- Speculation has intensified over Pope Francis's successor, with media outlets predicting the outcome of the papal conclave remains challenging, as the cardinals' positions can shift with each vote.

The New York Times has named several potential candidates for the next head of the Roman Catholic Church Here are some of the contenders.

Pierbattista Pizzaballa

Pierbattista Pizzaballa, a 60-year-old Italian and the Vatican's leading official for Middle East affairs, is regarded as a strong contender. Despite being named a cardinal only in 2023, his extensive experience in the Middle East has elevated his profile. If selected, Cardinal Pizzaballa would be the first Italian pope since John Paul I in 1978. However, e...