[DoodleDawg]

The odds of a liberal pope now are slim to none.

But higher if the conclave looks to Latin America or Africa for a replacement, as has been speculated. Regardless, no Pope has had his predecessor looking over his shoulder for 600 years, and that one had his predecessor tossed into prison. I doubt the next Pope will have that option.

[x]

"Liberal" is a tricky term here. Any pope is going to look liberal on economic issues to a lot of Americans. The last two popes would, but theologically, they're seen as conservative.

From what I've heard African Catholics are more conservative theologically than the Western Europeans or North Americans. If that's true, there will be a greater chance of changes in doctrine if a "Westerner" is the next pope. But it's hard to say. I suspect there could be big changes whoever accedes.

Philip Pullella has written a lot of articles. From what I can tell he has it for Benedict's or John Paul II's Catholic Church. This article is just so much paint by the numbers stuff. Any pope is going to be seen as "conservative" and "dogged by scandal" by the secular left. Pullella didn't have to think or research much to come up with such an expected and unsurprising boilerplate verdict.

[lentulusgracchus]

The odds of a liberal pope now are slim to none.

But higher if the conclave looks to Latin America or Africa for a replacement, as has been speculated.

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Wow, what would that be like -- a "liberation theology" red-hot from S.America in the Vatican, to pull in harness with Barack I?

That'd be a real pair of jokers!

[D-fendr]

Pope Benedict has no veto over the selection; however, he did select a lot of those doing the selection. And I believe his legacy will include bringing the Church back from some of the over-reaching implementation of Vatican II.

I think I will be praying and trusting in the Holy Spirit - which brought us Pope Benedict!

Thank you very much for your reply, much appreciated.