Papal front-runners: The men who could be pope

It is typically absurd to think of an American as pope. But in this conclave, a Chicago-born Augustinian friar who has spent much of his life outside of the United States is worthy of serious consideration.

The likely top candidate for the conservative wing of the College of Cardinals is Esztergom–Budapest Cardinal Peter Erdo, known for embracing the anti-migrant views of Hungary's prime minister, Viktor Orban.

A leading voice among his confreres in Africa, Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo Besungu of the Democratic Republic of Congo is known for his environmental advocacy, and made news for pushback on blessing homosexual couples.

Will the conclave write papal poetry and pick a 59-year-old theologian and fisherman's son for the seat of St. Peter? Or will Cardinal José Tolentino de Mendonça have to wait until next time?

Italian Cardinal Pietro Parolin served as Pope Francis' top aide and by all accounts was a loyal deputy. But in recent years, Parolin's stock has been on the rise among more traditional-leaning prelates.

Cardinal Joseph Tobin's ecclesial resume was built predominantly outside of the U.S., which might ease concerns about an Americentric papacy. And cardinal electors might be attracted to his story of Vatican exile.

They call him the "Asian Francis" because his personal simplicity and emphasis on the poor and marginalized mirror Pope Francis' life. Now, Filipino Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle is again a contender to be pope.

As the world's Catholic cardinals gather for what is expected to be the largest conclave in history, they face a stark choice: to continue along Pope Francis' path of reform, or to initiate a course correction.