[Robert Drobot]

"....In the Vatican, the Opus Dei cardinal most active in view of the conclave is Julián Herranz, a great jurist and the president of the Pontifical Council for Legislative Texts. Ratzinger's leap to the top of the list of candidates for the papacy is also due to him; it took shape at the suppers for cardinals that Herranz organized at Opus Dei's heavily guarded villa in the Roman countryside, or at his new apartment behind St. Peter's Square...."

[Robert Drobot]

Ping for next pope.

[livius]

Interesting article, although I'd be really, really surprised if Ratzinger got it. As for the others, I'm not sure being a close friend of a current pope necessarily means one is going to be considered to take his place.

The person I'd like to see as the next Pope is the Cardinal Archbishop of Madrid, Antonio Ruoco. But, alas, I never even see his name appear in the "papabile" speculations, so I think chances are pretty slim. Make that nonexistent.

[Moderate right-winger]

The next pope should have conservative credentials.

[Salvation]

Conclave: Pope's 'electoral college' has moral values, no exit polls

Rome's Next Choice? [TIME: "Arch-Conservative" Ratzinger is top Papabile]

Lent in the Vatican: The Pope, the Curia, and the Conclave ( Who's On First )

POPE: 117 CARDINALS ON STANDBY FOR CONCLAVE

Papal Transition (what happens between one pope and the next)

Vatican Bracing for Papal Succession

When Sad Day Comes, Eyes of World Will Be on Papal Selection [How next Pope will be chosen]

Mahony Flies To Rome For Solemnities, Conclave (Cardinal from Los Angeles to Visit Vatican)

Papal Election and Succession