Pope Francis, whose birth name is Francisco Robles Ortega, was born on March 2, 1949, in Mascota, Jalisco. He was ordained a priest in 1973 and has held various ecclesiastical positions in Mexico, including that of bishop of Texcoco in 1997.
Subsequently, he rose through the hierarchy of the Catholic Church to become a cardinal and archbishop of Guadalajara in 2012, and finally primate archbishop of Mexico in 2017. Throughout his career, he has been recognized for his leadership and expertise in Latin America.
Recently, Francisco Robles Ortega remains hospitalized at the Gemelli Hospital in Rome due to complications arising from a respiratory infection. Although ecclesiastical authorities have not indicated an estimated date for his discharge, his medical situation is being thoroughly evaluated.
The process for electing a new Pope in the Vatican takes place through a conclave in the Sistine Chapel, where the electors Cardinals meet after the death or resignation of the Supreme Pontiff. Among the electors Cardinals of Mexican origin are Carlos Aguiar Retes, born in Tepic, Nayarit, and Francisco Robles Ortega.
The conclave is an event in which Cardinals under the age of 80 meet in a secret ballot until a candidate receives at least two-thirds of the votes. Subsequently, the ballots are burned after each round and the white smoke indicates the successful election of a new Pope.
Pope Francis's health has been described as complex, which will require a prolonged hospitalization for his recovery. If it becomes necessary to elect a new leader of the Catholic Church, all eyes would be on the College of Cardinals, where potential successors are located in case of a change in the papal position.
