As most know by now, Pope Benedict XVI announced his plan to resign at the end of February, the reason, he explains, is his deteriorating health. Because a Pope has not resigned in 600 years, the announcement obviously provoked many questions from Catholics all around the world. The election for the next Pope is thought occur before Easter (March 31st), since Easter is such a holy occasion. In this article, some of the possible candidates are mentioned and the possible future of the Roman Catholic Church.
I think it is interesting that an American cardinal is in the mix of possible candidates. It seems very unlikely that all the other cardinals would elect a person from the most powerful military country, but maybe because the United States is experiencing a noticeable decrease of Catholics, an American Pope would refuel the faith in America.
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/12/world/europe/with-popes-resignation-focus-shifts-to-a-successor.html?pagewanted=2&_r=0