A little about some of the candidates... Francis Arinze - Born 1st November 1932 (Age: 70) Arinze would be the first African Pope since Gelasius I in the fifth century.
Like John Paul II Arinze holds strong conservative views on abortion, contraception & homosexuality. Arinze believes that theologically all people come from the same God and his desire to improve inter-faith relations would see many other religions being welcomed by the Catholic Church What will go in his favour? His conservative views. His ability to improve and encourage Inter-faith relations He is well respected by fellow cardinals It is believed that cardinals would like a Pope from the developing world, where the church has it's largest following Not in his favour Psychologically and spiritually the West may not be ready to welcome a black Pope and this may effect the Cardinals decisions when they go to vote. It is not a race issue but more about people's mentality. Cardinals may not want much focus on improving inter-faith relations within the Catholic Church. Cardinal Rodriguez Maradiaga – Born 29th December 1942 (Age: 62) Many people believe that Maradiaga is the man who could ably succeed John Paul. He campaigned for third world debt relief alongside Bono it is thought he would make a charismatic Pope like John Paul II. There is no doubt that Maradiaga would appeal to many different countries/cultures. He can speak over eight different languages and can even fly a plane! What will go in his favour? He speaks over eight different languages He is active and willing to get involved with worldly issues Latin American – Third world which has more Catholics than any other continent Not in his favour He might be slightly too young although John Paul was younger at 58 when he was elected Pope He compared the media to Hitler in the past! Tettamanzi - Born March 14th 1934 (Age: 71) Dionigi Tettamanzi is the Archbishop of Milan (The most powerful archdiocese in the world). The fact that John Paul II promoted him from Cardinal of Genoa to Archbishop of Milan is one of the main reasons why he is considered to be the favourite to succeed as Pope. Highly popular and respected by his fellow Cardinals, Tettamanzi would lead the church in the same conservative direction that John Paul II did. What will go in his favour? Almost all voting cardinals were elevated to be "princes of the Church" by John Paul II, making it likely that his conservative views will continue into the next Papacy. If elected it would see the Papacy return to an Italian cardinal. As Archbishop of Milan he has powerful countrymen and Opus Dei (Conservative Roman Catholic Group) behind him. An affable, humble man, he has a friendly face and it has even been said that he resembles the great Pope John XXIII Not in his favour It is expected that the newly elected Pope will be someone who can reach out to different countries/cultures. Tettamanzi does not speak English which would limit his ability to communicate as well as John Paul II. He might not be deemed "worldly" enough. While not as old as some of the cardinals he is a lot older than what John Paul was when elected Pope. Joseph Ratzinger – Born 16th April 1927 ( Age: 77) German Cardinal Ratzinger has an added advantage – he leads the congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. Many have suggested he is somewhat a vice Pope who acts on initiative and is not afraid to make important decisions which many would expect the Pope to make. John Paul asked Ratzinger to stay on for five more years when he suggested he might resign. What will go in his favour? Ratzinger is the Dean of the college of cardinals & respected by his fellow brothers Not in his favour Some would consider him too old at 77. Claudio Hummes – Born 8th August 1934 (Age: 70) Archbishop of Sao Paulo, Brazil, Hummes is a soft spoken Franciscan conservative. What will go in his favour? He is a member of the increasingly powerful South American group that now makes up almost one fifth of the electors. John Paul II admired Claudio Hummes At 70 he would be the perfect age to succeed the Pope Known worldwide for defending the poor. Not in his favour Has strict views with regards to contraception and the Cardinals might want the church to lean in a more liberal direction. Might not be as charismatic as the likes of Maradiaga or Ratzinger. Cardinal Carlo Maria Martini – Born 15th Feb 1927 (Age: 78) Italian cardinal Carlo Maria Martini is a liberal and if made Pope would certainly see the Catholic Church edge away from the old conservative views of John Paul. He retired as archbishop of Milan in 2002 and took up a life of prayer in Rome & Jerusalem. While Martini has a lot of support from a large group of cardinals the chances of him becoming Pope are slim especially since it was revealed that he suffers from a form of Parkinson's disease. What will go in his favour? If the cardinals opt for a more Liberal minded Pope Martini would be their man. If the cardinals vote in favour of the Papacy returning to the Italians he is a contender. Not in his favour At 78 he may be considered a little too old He suffers with the same disease John Paul II suffered with – Parkinson's Electors may choose a Pope who holds strong conservative views like John Paul. Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re - Born January 30th 1934 (Age: 71) The Italian cardinal Battista Re would be a popular choice amongst the cardinals. Having served as Secretariat of State in the Vatican, he is one of the few that would have exceptional knowledge of the inner workings. If the papacy were to return to an Italian Cardinal Battista Re at 71 years of age would definitely be a contender. A traditional cardinal he has also been described as a moderate for expressing support for greater decentralization and giving more power to local churches. What will go in his favour? He is the perfect age at 71 He holds same views as John Paul and was very loyal to the late Pope. Although holding traditional views, he is also moderate. Popular amongst the electors. Not in his favour Might not be as popular as Tettamanzi, Maradiaga or Ratzinger. Being Italian might go against him if they opt for a European/Latin American. Cardinal Jose Da Cruz Policarpo - Born February 26th 1936 (Age: 69) The Portuguese Cardinal, while not as well known as the likes of Maradiaga and Tettamanzi is highly popular with the cardinals. Because of this he cannot be ruled out of the running for the next Pope, especially when cardinals tipped as the favourites for the position rarely come out of the Sistine chapel a Pope! Currently the archbishop of Lisbon in Portugal and head of the Portuguese bishops conference, Jose Da Cruz Policarpo is neither conservative or liberal. He could be a "compromise candidate" but he rubbed certain cardinals up the wrong way when he criticised the "Dominus Lesus" document in 2000 which stated all other faiths were deficient. What will go in his favour? Very popular amongst cardinals Moderate views Right age if they opt for a younger Pope. Cardinals might vote for him as he wouldn't be the obvious expected choice. Not in his favour He may not be seen as a strong leader to take the most powerful seat in the Catholic Church. They may opt for someone with more conservative views Depending on the age group they go for, he could be too young for their liking Here's Where it gets interesting… Jean Marie Lustiger – Born 17th September 1926 (Age: 78) Lustiger is retired now but was the Archbishop of Paris. He was a chief confidant of Pope John Paul II and is considered by many as prime candidate to be elected to the highest office. He was born into a Jewish Polish family in France but at thirteen he converted to Catholicism. If Lustiger were to become Pope he would be the first converted Jew ever elevated to Papacy since Peter. Also if Malachy's Prophecies are anything to go by 12/1 is probably much too generous odds! According to the prophecy, the next Pope will be the penultimate Pope Gloria Olivae ("Glory of the Olives"). The order of St. Benedict has claimed that this Pope will come from their ranks. St. Benedict himself prophesised that before the end of the world his Order, known as the Olivetans, will triumphantly lead the Catholic Church in it's fight against evil. The Olive branch is traditionally associated with peace and also serves as an emblem for the Jews. Could the prophecy of the Jewish conversion take place? The only real thing going against Lustiger to succeed as Pope is his age - The next few days will reveal all! Some strong outsiders to watch... Angelo Scola (Italy), Born 7th November 1941 (Age: 63) While Scola is not deemed one of the favourites in the betting, there is no doubt that all eyes will be on him in the conclave, for he is the patriarch of Venice and so far Venice has produced three 20 th century popes – Pius X, the popular John XXIII and John Paul I. In 1982 he was appointed to the faculty at the John Paul II institute for marriage and family, which was created to defend the pope's strong conservative views on issues such as divorce, contraception, abortion and homosexuality, etc. Scola is gracious and warm and could very well succeed as the new Pontiff. What will go in his favour? His conservative views Fluent in several languages His age Being Patriarch of Venice, if the Papacy was to return to the Italians Not in his favour Cardinals may not want to see the Papacy returned to the Italians Might not be as charismatic as some cardinals Cardinals may not want the next Popes reign to be a long one and could opt for someone that little bit older. Jorge Mario Bergoglio: Born Dec 17th 1936 (Age: 68) Bergoglio from Buenos Aires if made Pope at 68, would be the first member of the Jesuit order to reach the highest seat in the Roman Catholic Church. Unusually, Bergoglio first studied chemistry before deciding to enter the priesthood. If elected, Pope Bergoglio would shy away from the attention that John Paul so frequently received and would opt instead for a simple, quiet life. He speaks Spanish, Italian and German and it is said he is close to Communion & Liberation, one of the conservative movements that John Paul supported with the intention of changing peoples views of the Church in the face of growing secularisation in developed countries. What goes in his favour? He holds conservative views just like John Paul II Ideal age Fellow cardinals respect him He speaks three languages Cardinals might opt for a quieter Pope after John Paul to allow them to decide what direction they want the Catholic Church to go. Not In his favour The fact that Bergoglio is a Jesuit could go against him. The influential order was founded in the 16 th century to serve the popes and some Jesuits oppose the idea of one of their own actually becoming a pope. If the cardinals opt for an energetic, charismatic cardinal to succeed as Pope, Bergoglio wouldn't quite fit the bill. Cardinal Angelo Sodano – Born 23rd November 1927 (Age: 77) If the electors were to opt for an older cardinal for the Papacy the Italian cardinal Angelo Sodano (the Vatican Secretary of State) would certainly be in the running. Sodano, having held the top job in the Curia since 1991, is something of a super-diplomat. Sodano called the late Pope "John Paul the great". It is thought that many cardinals share his views and could see him as a safe choice to lead the Church until they decide what direction the Catholic Church should go in. What will go in his favour? The cardinals might see him as "a safe pair of hands" for the Papacy to fall into. He has the experience, contacts & utmost respect from the cardinals. Not in his favour At 77, he might be considered too old. He lacks the charisma that the great John Paul II had. Comment: We have already a brief on Ivan Cardinal Dias, posted by Fred Noronha; the start is on tomorrow, we shall see......... -- Cheers, Gabe Menezes. London, England ----- End forwarded message -----