Could NYs Cardinal Dolan become the first American pope?

New York Cardinal Timothy Dolan is among the top church officials up for consideration to replace the late Pope Francis.While any man baptized in the Catholic Church can technically become pope, the next pontiff is typically chosen by and from the College of Cardinals, which includes Dolan, also the archbishop of New York.Though the conclave of cardinals set to deliberate on a successor has not yet gathered, at least some cardinals have already discussed Francis’ potential successor and likely have top contenders in mind.Francis died Monday at 88, and while cardinals over the age of 80 cannot vote on his successor, they can become pope.

Dolan is one of the most recognizable Catholic figures in the US and known for his charisma, conservative principles and staunch support of the Catholic Church’s teachings.The 75-year-old cardinal, who was born in Saint Louis, Mo., was appointed archbishop in 2009 and made a cardinal by Pope Benedict XVI in 2012.He also served as president of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops from 2010 to 2013.Dolan is recognized for his unwavering defense of Catholic doctrine and is regularly in national media promoting the church, including in The Post.

In an official statement on Pope Francis’ passing, Dolan said he was “honored” to have been part of the conclave that elected Francis in 2013 and to have welcomed him to the Big Apple for a visit in 2015.Since Dolan is a cardinal — and only cardinals have been chosen to be pontiff since 1378 — there is always the possibility that he could become the first American to hold the position.But his chances appear to be slim, at least partly because the conclave tends to avoid electing popes from global superpowers.Several other American cardinals potentially in the running include Cardinal Seán Patrick O’Malley, the retired archbishop of Boston, and Cardinal Raymond Leo Burke, the retired archbishop of St.

Louis, Mo.But it’s still unlikely that an American will ascend to the ...