Calblog

Papal Conclave Begins

We watched television this morning waiting for the procession in. The Calblog husband can't believe they haven't started yet. He's not Catholic. He underestimates how much prayer and meditation really is necessary. I agree with those who believe that God has already selected the next Pope and it's the Cardinals' job to listen. That said, human thoughts intrude.

Cardinal Ratzinger, a German appointed in 1977 by Paul VI, seems to be the favorite among the American media. He has been the head of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. If you read the news, you'll learn that he is conservative, loyal to John Paul II, and would be a good transitional Pope.

Don't believe it. The last transitional Pope, John XXIII, started Vatican II. I do not think there's a lot of eagerness to try "transitional" again but if there were, Ratzinger would not be theright choice. Although Ratzinger is now considered conservative, he was once considered liberal. Does the name Earl Warren ring a bell? Ratzinger would be a high-risk pick in a low-risk time. His longstanding position in CDF and the influence that he has already had in the Church would allow him to stamp his own imprint onto the Papacy, regardless of what the intention of his election was.

The other likely "transitional" Pope is Dionigi Tettamanzi . Rumored to be campaigning for the job, he is well known in Italy. If it is true, the Cardinals may be willing to tag him for a "transitional" Pope position. His high profile and limited global reach allows the other Cardinals to box him in philosophically.

The other candidates mentioned are from South America and Africa. I do not think the Cardinals are ready to reach outside of Italy again. Pope John Paul II changed the world and the Papacy in many ways. Taking the Church in a new direction now would require retaining the intensity of JP II and convincing the laity to turn in a new direction. That task is far more difficult than it sounds. If they do try to elect a "Third World" Pope, keep your eye on Arinze out of Nigeria. He is very conservative, has been in Italy as part of the inner circle, and his name has dropped down on the likely list in the last ten years. To me, that signals a humility that makes him even more attractive to the electors.