As the conclave to elect the next pope begins, Pietro Parolin has emerged as the betting favorite to succeed Pope Francis, according to the latest market analysis by William Hill. Parolin, who serves as the Vatican secretary of state,

VATICAN CITY (AP) — One hundred and thirty-three cardinals are sequestering themselves behind the Vatican’s medieval walls for the start of a conclave starting Wednesday to elect a successor to Pope Francis. Here are some things to know about the election of the 267th pontiff of the Catholic Church, which has 1.4 billion faithful across the world.