How the Church elects a new pope

Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi, 70
22 February 2013, 9:00

Became an instant hit when Benedict named him president of the Pontifical Council for Culture in 2007. A first-rate biblical scholar who has popularised Scripture studies through Italian television, radio and popular periodicals, he has spearheaded efforts to re-establish the prominent place that the Catholic Church and the Vatican used to occupy in the world of high culture. A kind and affable man - and someone who is 'moderate' ecclesiologically - he lacks global and multicultural experience.