Could a Canadian become the next pope?

ThreeCanadian cardinals will be part of the conclave to elect a new pope, and one is considered a leading contender to take overafter Pope Benedict XVI steps down Feb. 28.

The selection of a Canadian as pontiff would be unprecedented. A non-European cardinalhas never been chosen to lead the church.

TheCanadians involved in the decision-making process are Cardinal Thomas Collins from Toronto,and CardinalsJean-Claude Turcotte and MarcOuellet, bothfrom Quebec.

In a rare move,Pope Benedict XVI announced his intention to resign on Feb. 28, citing his deteriorating strength and health. Thelast pontiff to resignwas Gregory XII, who stepped down in 1415 in a deal to end the Great Western Schism among competing papal claimants.

Archbishop of Quebec possible successor

Cardinal Ouellet is the Canadian head of the Vatican's office for bishops and joins Cardinal Angelo Scola, archbishop of Milan, andCardinal Christoph Schoenborn, the archbishop of Vienna, as potential successors to Benedict.

Cardinal Ouelletwas appointed Metropolitan Archbishop of Quebecin November2002, and elevated to the Sacred College of Cardinalsone year later. He participated in the conclave that led to the papal election of Benedict in April 2005. He is also prefect of the Congregation of Bishops and president of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America.

In his current role in the Vatican,the cardinaloversees the appointment of bishops and is active on numerous Roman Catholic commissions and committees. His special interests have included Latin America.

In an interview with the Catholic news organization Salt + Light TV published online last April, Cardinal Ouellet was asked whether he had hopes of becoming pope.

"I don't see myself at this level, not at all ... because I see how much it entails [in terms of] responsibility," he said. "On the other hand, I say I believe that the Holy Spirit will help the cardinals do a good choice for the leadership of the church, the Catholic Church, in the future."

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Jean Pelletier, retired monsignor and chancellor of the diocese of Quebec, told CBC News that Cardinal Ouellet's chances are not high.

"You see, we have to remember that the Pope is not elected by journalists or by betting agencies. He's elected by cardinals. Cardinal Ouellet, when he left Quebec City, he went to Rome the Holy See is a quagmire of intrigue so it's very easy to make enemies there."

Benedictwas about'clarity and charity'

Cardinal Collins is the fourth cardinal in the history of the Archdiocese of Toronto and was elevatedto the College of Cardinalsin February 2012 in Rome. He told reporters at a press conference after noon mass on Monday that clarity and charity were at the heart ofthe Pope's teachings.When asked aboutsuccession, he said: "I haven't been thinking about it much. That's not a thing to speculate aboutusually those speculations have no meaning."

CardinalTurcotte is an archbishop emeritus of Montreal.He became a member of the College of Cardinals on November 1994 and alsoparticipated in the conclave that led to the election of Pope Benedict.Hewas elected president and led the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops from 1997 to 1999.

The new pope is expected to bechosen by mid-March, before Easter, through a special gathering of cardinals who meet in the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican until they can agree on a successor.