What are the chances of a British Pope? These are the UK cardinals going to Rome

With the death of Pope Francis, cardinals from around the world will soon gather in the Vatican to choose a new pontiff. Francis, of course, hailed from Argentina - but could the next pope be British?

It's been 866 years since the papacy of Britain's only ever pontiff (Pope Adrian IV) ended in 1159, and the history of the Catholic Church in the UK since then has been turbulent, with King Henry VIII perhaps the main culprit.

There are currently four British cardinals, three of whom are young enough to vote in the conclave.

And while none of them are considered odds-on favourites for the top job, it's true that surprises do happen behind the shuttered doors of the secretive congregation of cardinals.

So who are the British cardinals, and could one of them be the next pope?

Head of the Catholic Church in England and WalesCardinal Vincent Nichols, 79

Born in Crosby near Liverpool, as a child Cardinal Vincent Nichols hoped to be a lorry driver but as a teenager reportedly felt the calling to join the priesthood while watching Liverpool FC.