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Christoph Cardinal Schönborn, 68, AustriaThe National Catholic Reporter has called Schönborn "among the most interesting figures in the global church."
Schönborn studied under Pope Benedict XVI and has known the pontiff for decades, however, he has exhibited an independent streak, often going against traditional judgment.
Last year, the Austrian stepped in when one of his priests denied a gay man the right serve on parish council after he was overwhelmingly elected.
The cardinal went so far as to host the man and his partner for lunch, The Associated Press reported, and declared him to be "at the right place."
Schönborn has been a critic of the church's handling of its sex-abuse cases. He was rebuked by the Vatican after he reportedly accused Cardinal Angelo Sodano, former secretary of state, of blocking a sexual abuse investigation.
"It should be remembered that in the church, when there are accusations against a cardinal, the competence rests solely with the pope; others may have an advisory role, always with the proper respect for the person," a Vatican statement said, according to the Catholic News Service.
It's the cardinal's tendency to go against the grain in the church that might make him not a viable pick, Bunson said.
It hasn't stopped the oddsmakers from talking about him, though. Irish betting house Paddy Power has Schönborn listed at odds of 16 to one of becoming pope.
Benedict had similar odds before the conclave, Paddy Power spokesman Féilim Mac An Iomaire said, but crept into the front-runner position when the conclave began.
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