Who might be the next pope?

When the reigning pope creates new cardinals, it is because he is thinking not only of the Roman Catholic Church of today but, above all, that of tomorrow.

evangelicals & catholics Leonardo de Chirico

Cardinals are those who, in addition to assisting the pope with governing the universal Church, meet in conclave and elect the successor once the reigning one has died or, as in the case of Pope Ratzinger, resigns.