Going from the internal Politics brewing in the Vatican & in the Roman Curia. Also based on the capacity of their influential offices, position & the power their image wield among their colleagues. These Eminent Cardinals out of the 115 elegible cardinals are touted as Benedict XVI successor by analysts and the media. In no particular order.

1. Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan. 63. Archbishop of New York.

2. Cardinal Peter Erdo. 60. Archbishop of Estergom- Budapest.

3. Cardinal Sean P. O'Malley. 68. Archbishop of Boston

4. Cardinal Marc Ouellet. 68 (from Canada former Archbishop of Quebec). Head of the Vatican's office for bishops.

5. Cardinal Leonardo Sandri. 69. (from Argentina) Head of the Vatican department for Eastern Churches.

6. Cardinal Odilo Pedro Scherer. 63. Archbishop of Sao Paulo

7. Cardinal Angelo Scola. 71. Archbishop of Milan.(I've this hunch that he will be the next Pope though not my favourite candidate).

8. Cardinal Luis Anthonio G. Tagle. 55. Archbishop of Manilla. Philippines.(He is the 2nd youngest cardinal participating in this enclave, My personal favourite, I pray he's elected).

On the side note# Most likely a new pope will emerge at the end of voting tomorrow (ie thursday).
I pray that the Holy spirit may guide and direct them. AMEN!!

For the records, others stand a chance too. But these men stand out.

Oh how things changed.

i thought it would be #4 although they generally dont choose popes from the americas, save for this time.

these are/were the colonies,

The Holy Spirit clearly doesnt work in the same frequency as the media and analysts.

Let them keep saying rubbish.