An empty slot indicates where a medallion of the future pope will be placed next to Pope Benedict XVI and his predecessor Blessed John Paul II in the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls in Rome in this Sept. 2, 2011 file photo. The upper basilica walls contain medallions of all 265 popes. PHOTO: CNS/Paul Haring

17 Nov 2017

By The Record

An empty slot indicates where a medallion of the future pope will be placed next to Pope Benedict XVI and his predecessor Blessed John Paul II in the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls in Rome in this Sept. 2, 2011 file photo. The upper basilica walls contain medallions of all 265 popes. PHOTO: CNS/Paul Haring

An empty slot indicates where a medallion of the future pope will be placed next to Pope Benedict XVI and his predecessor Blessed John Paul II in the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls in Rome in this Sept. 2, 2011 file photo. The upper basilica walls contain medallions of all 265 popes. (CNS photo/Paul Haring) (Feb. 25, 2013)