With the passing of Pope Francis on April 21, the Catholic Church is preparing for a transition that will determine its direction for the foreseeable future. As the first Latin American pope, Francis brought significant change as Bishop of Rome, focusing on social justice, environmental issues and a more inclusive Church.

Now, the College of Cardinals prepares to gather at the Vatican for a conclave that will shape the Church’s future. Their choice won’t just name the next leader of 1.37 billion Catholics—it will set the course for doctrine, transparency and the Church’s outreach to its flock.

Will the next pope continue Francis’s progressive reforms, or will the cardinals pivot back toward theological conservatism? The answer will be clear when the symbolic white smoke rises from the Sistine Chapel.

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