Catholic Church’s direction in the balance as conclave looms

Catholic cardinals will enter into conclave this week to choose a new pope, with the Church’s 1.4 billion members holding their breath over an uncertain outcome.

A total of 133 “Princes of the Church” will meet on Wednesday to elect from among their number a successor to Pope Francis, who died on April 21 aged 88.

At issue is whether the new pontiff will follow the popular Argentine’s progressive line or whether the Holy See will pivot to a more conservative traditionalist.

Francis, an…