With the death of Pope Francis, announced by the Vatican on Monday, Roman Catholics around the globe will start speculating on who among the red-robed cardinals will succeed him. Given the nature of cardinal appointments Francis made during his papacy,

Pope Francis died of a cerebral stroke and irreversible heart failure, the Vatican’s top doctor said Monday. The stroke led to a coma and “irreversible cardiocirculatory collapse,” Dr. Andrea Arcangeli, the head of the Vatican’s health department, said in a statement reported by multiple news outlets.

The Catholic faithful took heart when the pontiff, after two brushes with death, emerged from a hospital and resumed some of his duties. Their joy proved short-lived.