Rome's Next Choice? (Future Pope)

Time ^ | 1/10/05 | JEFF ISRAELY

[wagglebee]

Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger, the chief architect of Pope John Paul II's traditionalist moral policy, has long been a bugaboo for liberal Catholics. But they had stopped worrying that the German might one day ascend to St. Peter's throne. His hard-line views and blunt approach had earned him the epithet of panzerkardinal and too many enemies. Well, their worrying may now resume. Sources in Rome tell TIME that Ratzinger has re-emerged as the top papal candidate within the Vatican hierarchy, joining other front runners such as Dionigi Tettamanzi of Milan and Claudio Hummes of Sao Paolo. "The Ratzinger solution is definitely on," said a well-placed Vatican insider.

[wagglebee]

During the recent U.S. controversy about giving Communion to pro-choice candidates, Ratzinger authored a careful letter to American bishops reasserting the Vatican's antiabortion stance without dragging the Holy See into election-year theatrics. "There was a stigma," said the Vatican official of Ratzinger. "He rises above that now."

There is a very definite need for a conservative Pope who won't back down to the secularists.

[wagglebee]

Ping

[putupjob]

Oh great, Rat Boy.

[sinkspur]

He's 78. He may emerge as some sort of compromise candidate after a few ballots as a sort of "let him tide us over" Pope, much like John XXIII.

I find it difficult to believe that he is a front-runner, however.

[livius]

There is indeed, but I don't think Ratzinger is going to be the one. I think it would be very difficult for him to get elected.

In addition, Ratzinger's not young, and the present Pope could still go on for another 10 or 15 years. Granted, he wouldn't be running the Vatican or the Church, but he'd be alive, and that's all it takes to hold the Papacy. Ratzinger might be too old (or dead) by the time the next election is held.

[wagglebee]

He may emerge as some sort of compromise candidate after a few ballots as a sort of "let him tide us over" Pope, much like John XXIII.

And don't forget, there are more than a few Catholics who are still quite bitter over what John XXIII did during his five years of "tiding things over."

[southernnorthcarolina]

I've been keeping my cell phone with me at all times, hoping I'll get the call to step in as the next CJ of the Supreme Court. But I'm quite prepared to settle for the Papacy. A way cool hat comes with the gig.

[kjvail]

These people that write these articles haven't a clue as to how the Catholic Church operates. Cardinal Ratzinger is too old, at the current rate he may pass the age of 80 before God calls John Paul II home, that would disqualify him from even voting for the next pope.

The two leading candidates are Cardinal Arnize and Cardinal Schonborn, I prefer the latter.

[marshmallow]

After the next conclave, I have a feeling that we'll all be saying "who?" and rushing to look up info on the new pope, just as we did when JPII was elected.

[Clemenza]

Better Ratzinger than an incompetant Italian or a liberal Frog like Lustiger.

I met Cardinal Arinze a few years back in Chicago. A great guy, who would be a better choice than Ratzinger.

[wagglebee]

I agree that Ratzinger is probably too old and there is no reason to believe that the Pope will not survive for two more years.

I like everything I have read about Schonborn, he is young and conservative. I don't have any real problem with Arinze. However, I would hope the Conclave would rise above any urge to be politically correct and elect a black just because of his ethnicity. Also, Arinze is 72, which puts his age into question as well. A talk I came across that Arinze gave on relations with Muslims is also a concern to me.

Francis Cardinal Arinze: Christian-Muslim Relations in the 21st Century

[Clemenza]

See my post #11.

[Clemenza]

Arinze is very Orthodox, highly intelligent, and has more spiritual "backbone" than the Eurotrash in the Conclave. Cardinal S would not be such a bad choice.

[SweetCaroline]

BUMP

[Clemenza]

I sat and had coffee with Cardinal Arinze (and about 9 other fellow guests) at the Opus Dei center in Chicago. He talked about the progress the Church had made in Nigeria, particularly with respect to the growth of Islam. Fascinating man.

[wagglebee]

Arinze still has his age working against him. I know that there is a push to have a non-European Pope, I just don't agree that it should be a determining factor.

[Rosary]

all I can say is ,"GOD HELP US "