Merry Christmas

Who are the frontrunners entering the conclave, and how the voting could quickly confirm papabile lists or pivot to an unexpected candidate

Cardinal Frank Leo, the 53-year-old archbishop of Toronto, told Gerard O’Connell that he does not think age or nationality is an important factor in choosing the next pope. His top priority? A leader who listens.

The choice of method, more than any difference in underlying doctrine, is where Pope Francis departed most radically from his predecessors.

The conclave opens tomorrow, and the energy around the Holy See Press Office is alarmingly calm.