India, April 21 -- Cardinal Pietro Parolin, 70, has been a consistent favorite to succeed Pope Francis and has long been regarded as a possible papabile (pope contender).

He has been an important diplomat for the Catholic Church for many years and is a well-known figure at the Vatican. Francis appointed him Secretary of State in 2013.

Parolin, who is from Italy, is regarded as one of the more moderate contenders to succeed Francis as head of the Church and is anticipated to carry out Francis' objectives from a more practical standpoint.

In addition to overseeing the Holy See's contentious agreement with China about the nomination of bishops, the seasoned diplomat was involved-though not charged-in the Vatican's disastrous investment in...