Archbishop Angelo Scola

All 115 cardinals will gather in the Vatican for the papal conclave this week and the list of possible candidates is long. Though any one of them could be the next pope, Vatican experts have identified a few potential favorites.

Archbishop of Milan Angelo Scola is one of the Italian front-runners for the papacy, not least because two popes in the 20th century have come from Milan. Scola, 71, is known for his work on behalf of Christian-Muslim dialogue through the Oasis Foundation, which he created. He is intellectually close to the thought of Benedict XVI, and is widely supported by the powerful Catholic movement of Communion and Liberation. He was nominated by Pope Benedict to the board which oversees Vatican finances, suggesting that he would also be well-placed to bring transparency to Vatican affairs.

In this photograph, Cardinal Scola arrives to lead a mass at the Santi Apostoli church in Rome, March 10, 2013.

Cardinal Angelo Scola kisses the ring of Pope Benedict XVI during the 2012 World Meeting of Families in Milan, Italy, June 1, 2012.

Newly appointed as an Italian archbishop, Angelo Scola arrives for the traditional courtesy visit after the ordination ceremony in the Vatican, Oct. 21, 2003.

Cardinal Scola celebrates the funeral mass of Italian cardinal Carlo Maria Martini in Milan's Duomo cathedral, Sept. 3 2012.

Cardinal Scola (R) and Vatican State Secretary Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone chat at La Scala theater in Milan during the 7th World Meeting of Families, June 1, 2012.

Cardinal Scola attends a meeting of prayer at St. Peter's Basilica with other cardinals gathered in Rome for the conlave in Vatican City, March 6, 2013.

Cardinal Scola greets Pope Benedict XVI during the 2012 World Meeting of Families on June 1, 2012 in Milan, Italy.

Cardinal Scola celebrates the funeral mass of Italian cardinal Carlo Maria Martini in Milan's Duomo cathedral, Sept. 3, 2012.

Cardinal Scola gives Holy communion during a Mass at the Santi Apostoli church in Rome, March 10, 2013.

Cardinal Scola prays before leading a Mass at the Santi Apostoli church in Rome, March 10, 2013.

Cardinal Scola, pictured here when he was an Archbishop, holds a mass at the Christ the Redeemer church to celebrate the Festa del Redentore in Venice, July 18, 2004.

Cardinal Scola, top right, prays during a vespers celebration in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, March 6, 2013.