A pivotal shift has occurred in the lead-up to the papal conclave in May as Cardinal Angelo Becciu, once seen as a potential contender to succeed Pope Francis, has officially withdrawn from participating in the vote to elect the next leader of the Catholic Church.Becciu's decision followed mounting pressure tied to his conviction for embezzlement, further reshaping a race already laden with political, doctrinal and geographical complexity.The Vatican confirmed that the secret conclave to elect a new leader for the world's 1.4 billion Catholics will begin on May 7.Why Did Becciu Withdraw?Becciu, 76, cited a desire to serve "the good of the church, which I have served and will continue to serve with fidelity and love, as well as to contribute to the communion and serenity of the conclave, I have decided to obey as I have always done the will of Pope Francis not to enter the conclave while remaining convinced of my innocence."The Italian cardinal was once considered a leading figure in Vatican operations and a close adviser to Francis. His downfall began in 2020, when Francis forced him to resign as head of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints and stripped him of cardinal privileges following allegations of financial misconduct.Becciu was convicted in 2023 on charges of embezzlement and sentenced to five-and-a-half years in prison—a ruling he is currently appealing.Despite his eligibility as a cardinal under the age of 80, Becciu was not considered a valid elector, and his participation had not been officially sanctioned even before his statement.His withdrawal followed reports that he was presented with two letters signed by Francis before his death, instructing him not to take part in the conclave.Who Are the Remaining Front-Runners?With Becciu's exit, attention has turned to the remaining contenders—many of whom reflect sharply different theological directions and geographical backgrounds. While bookmakers and Vatican watchers differ in predictions, several names consistently emerge as front-runners.Cardinal Pietro ParolinParolin, the Vatican's secretary of state since 2013, is widely considered the favorite. Bookmakers currently list him at 9/4 odds.Described as a moderate and consensus-builder, Parolin has steered Vatican diplomacy on global issues and is seen as a continuation of Francis' centrist path.Cardinal Luis Antonio TagleAged 67 and from the Philippines, Tagle would be the first Asian pope. Known for his pastoral style and liberal leanings, he has expressed support for LGBTQ+ Catholics and unmarried mothers."The harsh words that were used in the past to refer to gays and divorced and separated people, the unwed mothers [and so on], in the past they were quite severe. Many people who belonged to those groups were branded and that led to their isolation from the wider society," the Independent reported Tagle as saying.Bookmakers place him second at 3/1 odds.Cardinal Matteo ZuppiZuppi, 69, has emerged as a strong contender in recent months and William Hill has him at 6/1 to be the next pope. A favorite of Francis and the current president of the Italian Episcopal Conference, he has led peace missions and advocated for inclusivity in the Church.He has made positive remarks about dialogue with LGBTQ+ Catholics and has participated in global diplomatic efforts, including trips to Ukraine and the United States.Cardinal Peter TurksonGhanaian Cardinal Turkson, 76, is the highest-profile African contender. A former head of the Vatican's justice and peace office, he combines progressive political views with conservative theological stances. Turkson opposed the use of condoms during the AIDS pandemic, although he spoke out about the possible criminalization of homosexuality in his home country.Bookmakers also list Turkson at 6/1 odds.Cardinal Peter ErdoHungarian Cardinal Erdo, 72, represents the Church's conservative faction. Known for his Marian devotion—which encourages piety and seeks the intercession of the Virgin Mary—and strict doctrinal stances, he is viewed as a potential challenger to Parolin, especially in early voting rounds and has odds of 7/1.Cardinal Pierbattista PizzaballaAt 60, the Patriarch of Jerusalem is among the youngest contenders. Pizzaballa's leadership in the region during recent geopolitical turmoil has earned him widespread respect.Rabbi David Rosen, former American Jewish Committee international director of Interreligious Affairs, told The Times of Israel "it would be wonderful if he were elected, not just because he comes from here and he understands us, but because he's such an exceptionally bright and good person."Cardinal Robert SarahAnother conservative, Sarah from Guinea, remains a longshot due to his age (79), but carries substantial backing among traditionalist factions. Known for criticizing Vatican reforms and strongly opposing LGBTQ+ rights, he is described as a traditionalist and a conservative.Broader ContextWith 135 electors under 80, the conclave begins amid uncertainty. While the Church has never selected a British pope in modern history, American Cardinal Timothy Dolan was singled out by President Donald Trump as a "very good" option during a press event on April 29."I'd like to be pope. That would be my number one choice. No, I don't know, I have no preference…I must say we have a cardinal [Timothy Dolan, who has been the archbishop of New York since 2009] that happens to be out of a place called New York who's very good," Trump told reporters on April 29.Trump's remarks, though not endorsements, reflect the global interest surrounding the Vatican's next chapter. The conclave begins May 7, and cardinals will vote in rounds until one receives a two-thirds majority. There is no set time for how long a conclave may last, but recent ones have concluded within a few days.While bookmakers have focused on a handful of front-runners, recent history shows the eventual pope is often a surprise pick, with the voting process inside the Sistine Chapel frequently defying outside predictions.