What happened to the fact that the 117 Cardinals who can take part in the conclave are bound by Canon Law not to speculate? At least that's what I have been led to believe.
Irks me.
My impression is that is with regard to Names rather than Qualities? Seems a little silly to make "what makes a good Pope" verboten for discussion.
I think Pell would say he is not speculating, but assuring the flock. Note that he did NOT say "the next Pope will be conservative." That wording is the editor's. What he said was, "I'm quite sure that the general line -- fidelity to basic Catholic teachings -- is absolutely unassailable." That's not speculation, that's instruction.
But I will say that while he did not drive over the cliff, he came close enough that if he were literally driving along a cliff, my mother would be breathing through her teeth, pressing her foot into the floor and clutching the armrest.