cardinals

Half an hour later, at 09:00 local time, patriarchs from the Orthodox church and cardinals will congregate in Saint Sebastian Chapel, inside the basilica, where the remains of Pope John Paul II lie.

There are currently 252 cardinals and while all can take part in the debate about who should be chosen, the voting age restriction means only the 135 who are under 80 can vote.

He has about two more years before he has to send the next pope the letter of resignation required of all bishops and cardinals when they turn 75.

In fact, the Philippines has five cardinals who are eligible to vote for - and also potentially be elected as - the next Pope, but many are pinning their hopes on Cardinal Tagle.

There is already much speculation about whom the cardinals will select and whether that new pope will continue Francis’ pastoral priorities of concern for the poor and reform of the Vatican bureaucracy.