I'm going with Latin America. The Archbishop of Sao Paulo is on the short list.
As long as it isn't Ratzinger.
I vote for Alan Keyes. He's Catholic.
Ratzinger's been in there so long, they'll probably pick him - he's good for about 10 years.
Slate commenting on religious matters is a little like Linda Lovelace talking about sexual purity.
HOWEVER....
It is obvious from any list of possible papal candidates that there is a good chance of a Pope from Latin America, South America, and/or Africa (or even India). One from Belgium is a noted liberal.
As I recall my history, there have already been 3 black Popes: Saint Victor I, who reigned from 189 to 199 A.D., Saint Miltiades, who reigned from 311 to 314, and Saint Gelasius I, who reigned from 492 to 496.
Catholics near Boston have been sighing that Cardinal Law "could have been Pope", had he not perpetuated the child abuse problem.
I think he could still be in the running, however. Sins and bad management don't disqualify a person, rather God challenges us to overcome human flaws. There'd be great controversy in his selection, but it may be just the lesson we need for the world at this time.
I'd apply, but heck, I've been getting turned down for every job I put in for here lately.
As much as the Cardinals think they are in charge of who will be next Pope, in this Catholic's humble opinion the Holy Spirit will tell them who should be the next Pope.
I know very little about any of these men, nor does it directly concern me as I'm not a catholic, but I cracked up at this description of the MSM being considered a liability.
Tettamanzi conservative? That's a stretch.
This is Slate, so I take it with a grain of salt. Religious acumen is not their forte.
I do listen to John Allen because he's as well connected as anyone in Rome. But on the othr hand, I wonder where this notion arises of John POaul II as "centralizing." Compared to the pre-conciliar popes of hte last century, he was "hands-off."
I doubt the next pontiff will be very different.
Whoever it may be, he will have some big shoes to fill.
Whoever is chosen, Barbara Boxer will demand a recount.
Billy Graham?
If I were a betting man, of all the names listed I would probably put my money on Tettamanzi. He is of an age where he will not occupy the papacy nearly as long as Pope John Paul II and he most likely will not shake the boat too much (due to the fact that he is Italian) while continuing to move the church in a conservative direction.
Will it be a St Louis Cardinal or an Arizona Cardinal?
I think it will be the 1.) Nigerian Cardinal, 2.)South American, 3.) Mel Gibson
Who will be the next Pope? They asked me but when I told them I wanted something a little spiffier than the Pope mobile they pulled their offer.
At least Clinton isn't eligible.
Why not rely on the Holy Spirit? With Him, there is no need for a pope.