If the College of Cardinals want to shake things up, we might see a Black pope. Sub-Saharan Africa, along with SE Asia, are the growth regions of Catholicism. However, most of the Cardinal Electors appointed to the college by Francis are fairly liberal, while the African contenders are conservative.
As a liberal Italian, Cardinal Zuppi will likely get strong support (it’s been a long time since the last Italian pope).
https://www.theguardian.com/world/20...idates-succeed