For a long time the image of popes was built on the "Renaissance popes" - who were bad enough in different ways to provoke the Protestant revolt, alas. But since the Counter Reformation most have been devout men, flawed (as all men are) in different ways and degrees. None of the "papabili" are Bogias or Medicis.
On the other hand, Pope John Paul II was clearly a cut above, one of the very best popes the Church has ever had. It may be unreasonable to expect the next one to be as good as he is...but given the challenges that face the Church, he will still need to be a a very capable and devout man.
well, at least we haven't seen anything like this for a long while:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cadaver_Synod