Who will be the next Pope?

Google ^ | 25 May 2004 | Posting on Google

[AntiGuv]

If it's somehow a non-European, I'd expect Hummes (Brazil), Alamino (Cuba), Maradiaga (Honduras), or Bergoglio (Argentina) in that order.

I think it'll be a European 'caretaker' Pope though.

[ken5050]

Thanks..can you calrify..there is NO unofficial, understood, age limit, then?

[troublesome creek]

guido sarducci

[AntiGuv]

...there is NO unofficial, understood, age limit, then?

Not to my knowledge. In fact, it's widely thought that the Conclave will favor the oldest candidates because they don't want another long papacy.

[Desdemona]

I know there has been a lot of speculation that the next pope will be an older man with "stability" in mind, but I'm beginning to wonder about that. The age calls for some boldness. In the end, it's all up to the Holy Spirit, but it will be interesting. I do doubt, though, that a man under 60 will be chosen, if for no other reason than JPII after 25+ years has left quite a footprint.

[AntiGuv]

Oh, I just realized I said I'd post the latest odds & then just posted the two leading candidates. That's because I didn't feel like typing it all out & it wouldn't let me copy & paste.. =)

[ken5050]

That's a fascinating, and very Machiavellian approach..

[AntiGuv]

Schönborn is 58 and Maradiaga is 60. Speculation on a younger Pope almost invariably focuses on them. I am not at all counting out a younger Pope myself; I just meant to back up that there's no implicit upper age limit that I'm aware of.

[AntiGuv]

Yep, that's why a lot of the older contenders are thought to be amongst the frontrunners: Danneels (70), Kasper (70), Tettamanzi (69), Hummes (69). For that matter, Arinze at 71 falls into that category as well - but everything I've read leads me to conclude a conservative 'activist' Pope is not the likely choice.

[Graymatter]

>>I think it'll be a European 'caretaker' Pope

I think it'll be an Italian puppet. A Vatican insider. The courtiers have had a taste of power lately, because the Pope is failing. They'll want to maintain what they enjoy. However, the Holy Spirit will have the last word. Puppets have been known to come to life. :)

[Tallmadge]

"Arinze is a charming figure, with a broad smile and an acute sense of humor. He is seen as deeply spiritual, sincere, honest, and a man capable of listening to others despite his own strong views. His theological positions range from moderate to conservative, and, in the blunt speech that Africans prize, he pulls few punches."

I've heard Arinze speak at Loras College in Dubuque, and the crowd that came too see him overflowed the auditorium. Great speech and afterwards he fielded questions from the audience... eloquent answers and quick on the response along with wonderful humor. We couldn't get that lucky :)

I tend to think we will get a caretaker pontiff after JPII instead of this guy (unfortunately) As the God wills, however.

[Tom D.]

It might be Cardinal Tettamanzi who is 69 or 70, but more likely it will be some third world guy. The American public fails to appreciate how socially conservative the Roman Catholic Church is. The third world Roman Church is the fastest growing and the most conservative part of it. The Cardinals are not about to elect anyone who is going to alienate the Church's fastest growing segment and are likely to elect someone who will accelerate that growth.

[Tom D.]

It might be Cardinal Tettamanzi who is 69 or 70, but more likely it will be some third world guy. The American public fails to appreciate how socially conservative the Roman Catholic Church is. The third world Roman Church is the fastest growing and the most conservative part of it. The Cardinals are not about to elect anyone who is going to alienate the Church's fastest growing segment and are likely to elect someone who will accelerate that growth.

[NeoCaveman]

What..no morning line..no odds?..not even with the British bookies?....

of course there are. Click here.

Tettamanzi (Italy) 2 to 1
Claudio Hummes 5 to 2
Jaime Lucas Ortega y Alamino 11 to 2
Francis Arinze (Nigeria) 6 to 1

[Cronos]

because those two Continents is where all the big money comes from.

Aye, but that is not the deciding issue for the Catholic church, as opposed to the Anglican church.

[Cronos]

I pray it's an African/Asian -- that's where the voice of God has place to spread and a man from that soil will help out -- just a JPII was THE Pope who broke the Evil Soveit Empire, a Pope from the lands threatened by Islam - Arinze from Nigeria or Dias from india would surely be good for us -- many of our freeper friends say that JPII does not grasp the full extent of the threat of Islam, coming from a nation with no islamics, but which had plenty of communists.