The late Pope stands as a metaphor for a conflict at the heart of St Peter’s

When Pope Francis first emerged on the balcony above St Peter’s Basilica in March 2013 , it was a victory for the liberal wing of a weary Church .

His predecessors Benedict XVI and John Paul II were doctrinaire traditionalists of the old model.

Francis was open to debating the values of the Church , willing to push the needle on questions of homosexuality and abortion.

Early in his tenure he declared that, yes, even atheists could go to heaven.

There are 252 cardinals, most appointed by Francis , but only 135 are eligible to vote.

The winning candidate needs a two-thirds majority.

Among the front-runners is Luis Antonio Tagle , a liberal from the Philippines dubbed the Asian Francis’ Pope Francis was a Jesuit and that.