Names Of 10 Cardinal Contenders ( Who Wins It)

The Catholic church was thrown into turmoil yesterday after Pope Benedict XVI made the shock decision to quit the papacy because of his deteriorating health and within minutes of Pope Benedict's announcement, speculation was rife about who would replace him.

There are several papal contenders in the wings, but no obvious front-runner...lets take a look at  10 of those in contention, their odds and some of their strongly held beliefs....

 Cardinal Peter Kodwo Appiah Turkson, 64

Country: Ghana Cardinal in the Ghanaian Catholic Church

Elevated to cardlinalate by Pope John Paul II

Significant views: Would like to see a black pope. Believes condoms should be used in marriage if one partner is infected with Aids.

 Cardinal Marc Ouellet, 68

Country: Canada

Elevated to the cardinalate by Pope John Paul II

Significant views: Belief that abortion is unjustifiable, even in cases of rape

 Cardinal Francis Arinze, 80

Country: Nigeria

Elevated to cardlinalate by Pope John Paul II

Significant views: Extreme conservatism on birth control and abortion

Cardinal Angelo Scola, 71

Country: Italy

Elevated to become Archbishop of Milan by Benedict XVI

Significant views: Wants to work more closely with Islam and support Christians in the Middle East

 Cardinal Oscar Rodriguez Maradiaga, 70

Country: Honduras

Elevated to cardinalate by Pope John Paul II

Significant views: A moderate but is anti-abortion and criticised Ricky Martin for using a surrogate mother 

 Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, 78

Country: Italy

Elevated to cardinalate by Pope John Paul II

Significant views: Blamed homosexual infiltration of the clergy for Catholic child sex scandals

Cardinal Angelo Bagnasco, 70

Country: Italy

Elevated to cardinalate by Pope Benedict XVI

Significant views: Strongly against abortion and expressed anger towards same-sex unions

 Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, 77

Country: Argentina

Elevated to cardinalate by John Paul II

Significant views: Against abortion and euthanasia, is against same-sex marriage but calls for respect of gay people. Washed the feet of 12 Aids patients in 2001.

 Cardinal Leonardo Sandri, 69

Country: Argentina

Elevated to cardinalate by Benedict XVI

Significant views: Said Christians in Iraq under Saddam Hussein were more free than they are now

Cardinal Christoph von Schonborn, 68

Country: Austria

Elevated to cardinalate by John Paul II

Significant views: Said use of a condom by an Aids sufferer could be seen as a 'lesser evil'.