As the Catholic world begins the solemn ritual of mourning Pope Francis, a quieter but no less historic conversation is unfolding in the corridors of the Vatican: Could the next pontiff be African?

The Vatican conclave will continue on Thursday with as many as four more rounds of voting. A two-thirds majority of the 133 cardinals is required to select a new leader for the world’s 1.4 billion ...

Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. Gerald Posner is the author of 13 books, including God's Bankers. Pope Francis’ sweeping reforms cleaned up some of the mess at ...