Cardinal Turkson would be the third African pope and the first since Gelasius I in the fifth century.

WSJ: Contenders in Line to be Pope

Peter's Square on Wednesday in a makeshift popemobile as he campaigns for Cardinal Peter Turkson of Ghana to become the church's first black pope.

NPR: Cardinals Celebrate Mass Before Entering Conclave

Perhaps belying Ratzinger's prediction, UK bookmaker William Hill has Canadian Marc Ouellet and Ghanaian Mark Turkson are showing as favorites so far, at 7-2 odds.

CNN: February 12, 2013 -- Updated 2035 GMT (0435 HKT)