The Washington Post believes Cardinal Ratzinger papabile
In the 13th century, cardinals holed up in the papal palace of Viterbo outside Rome for 33 months without electing a pope, taxing the local supply of food and wine.
Viterbo has retained more papal coats of arms than any other town of the former Papal State. In the second half of the XIIIth century Viterbo became the preferred (3,319 days) residence of the popes: in this period the iconography of the popes developed the symbols which later on became typical of papal heraldry. The popes lived in Viterbo partly because of security needs and partly because in summer Rome and especially the Vatican were unhealthy. The Palace of the Popes was built during this period (several conclaves were held in Viterbo and four popes are buried in its churches) and in 1276 a Loggia delle Benedizioni (blessings) was built next to the palace. The frieze above the arches showed for the first time the two keys of St Peter crossing each other.
Fountain in the Loggia
Ratzinger is too old. He's 78.
**"Each cardinal does bring the concerns of his church community to a conclave. But the cardinals do not represent limited groups of Catholics -- they come together in a sense of communion, representing the universal church," he said.**
With the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
Rome's Next Choice? [TIME: "Arch-Conservative" Ratzinger is top Papabile]
Lent in the Vatican: The Pope, the Curia, and the Conclave ( Who's On First )
POPE: 117 CARDINALS ON STANDBY FOR CONCLAVE
Papal Transition (what happens between one pope and the next)
Vatican Bracing for Papal Succession
When Sad Day Comes, Eyes of World Will Be on Papal Selection [How next Pope will be chosen]
Mahony Flies To Rome For Solemnities, Conclave (Cardinal from Los Angeles to Visit Vatican)