The Brazilians were rooting for Sao Paulo's archbishop, Odilo Scherer, considered one of the front-runners.

BBC: New Pope election sparks Brazil-Argentina barbs

Brazilian Cardinal Odilo Pedro Scherer, 63, shrugged off questions about whether this might be the moment for a Latin American pope, and whether he might be the man to take the role.

NPR: Brazil Papal Contender: Place Of Birth Irrelevant

But while the names of Cardinals Scola and the Brazilian Odilo Scherer may be generating more headlines than others at this stage, there is far less certainty in predictions than there was eight years ago.

BBC: Pope conclave: Ponchos and prayers on St Peter's Square