Francis, pope since 2013, died aged 88 on April 21. His funeral on Saturday and a procession through Rome to his burial place at the Basilica of St Mary Major attracted hundreds of thousands of mourners.
German Cardinal Walter Kasper told La Repubblica newspaper that the outpouring of emotion for Francis indicated that Catholics wanted the next pope to continue to reform the church.
Francis, the first pope from Latin America, largely tried to open up the often staid church to new conversations. He allowed debate on issues such as ordaining women as clergy and outreach to LGBTQ Catholics.
“The people of God voted with their feet,” said Kasper, who is 92 and will not take part in the conclave. “I am convinced that we must go ahead in the footsteps of Francis.”
However, a bloc of conservative cardinals is expected to push back and seek a pope who reasserts traditions and restricts Francis’ vision of a more inclusive church.
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