[narses]

Pure speculation is all anyone has at this point. The most likely is a Cardinal we have never heard of before, an Italian of almost 80 years of age. The Curia wants a rest, the travel and controversy has beaten them up badly.

[rbmillerjr]

My money is on an Italian, unfortunately.

[TWohlford]

"The most likely is a Cardinal we have never heard of before, an Italian of almost 80 years of age."

It wouldn't be the first time that an elderly Pope was elected as a short-term measure.

Another possibility is that they will look to someone who is more administrator than visionary, in order to clean the administrative house. I don't think that John Paul will go down in history as a natural administrator, and certainly in his last 10 years he wasn't healthy enough to take total control.

Among the issues on the table is are the lingering accusations of sexual misconduct of priests all over the world, which will require a great deal of time to clean up.

[billorites]

"an Italian of almost 80 years of age. The Curia wants a rest,"

I don't see it happening.

[PFKEY]

The most likely is a Cardinal we have never heard of before, an Italian of almost 80 years of age.

And to add my two cents he will not be Pope for long and will make Vatican II look like a walk in the park.

Hold on to your hats fols this ins going to be one controversial Pope.

[Netizen]

Pure speculation is all anyone has at this point. The most likely is a Cardinal we have never heard of before, an Italian of almost 80 years of age. The Curia wants a rest, the travel and controversy has beaten them up badly.

Hey, that sounds like the man I picked. Cardinal Carlo MArtini. He was born in Turin on February 15, 1927. That makes him Italian. Born in 1927, making him 78 years old.