An American pope just isn't in the cards - U.S. high clergy eligible to be chosen, but world ...

San Francisco Chronicle ^ | 4/10/5 | Don Lattin, Angela Frucci

[SmithL]

Rome -- No one knows who the new pope will be, but every expert, veteran observer and informed source agrees on one thing -- it won't be an American.

Eleven U.S. cardinals will be among the 115 princes of the church to convene the April 18 conclave to elect the man to succeed Pope John Paul II.

There's much talk as to whether the new pope will be from Africa or Latin America, or whether the church will return to its tradition of an Italian pope, or perhaps elect someone from another European nation.

But absolutely no one has put, say, Los Angeles Cardinal Roger Mahony, the only California cardinal, or Baltimore Cardinal William Keeler, the longest-reigning leader of an American archdiocese, on their top 10 lists.

"It's not theoretically impossible, but it's practically impossible," said the Rev. Tom Williams, the dean of theology at Regina Apostolorum University in Rome.

Williams and other scholars of the papacy say the main thing working against an American pope is the strong global consensus that the United States already has way too much political, economic and military power.

"People want to see a balance of power," said Williams, who has lived in Rome for the past 15 years.

Cardinal Theodore McCarrick of Washington, D.C., said he and his fellow cardinals feel a bit overwhelmed at the prospect of putting "the future of the church in the hands of a new Holy Father."

[SmithL]

...or maybe the world has seen all those AP polls from America.

[MikefromOhio]

that and the American Catholic church is too liberal for the rest of the Catholic world.

this is, while not exactly on the heels of the priest abuse fiasco, not great timing for any prospective American Pope.

[Publius6961]

that and the American Catholic church is too liberal for the rest of the Catholic world.

It is too liberal for me, and I've been in California all my life.

[kstewskis]

But absolutely no one has put, say, Los Angeles Cardinal Roger Mahony, the only California cardinal, or Baltimore Cardinal William Keeler, the longest-reigning leader of an American archdiocese, on their top 10 lists.

Thank goodness...

"People want to see a balance of power," said Williams, who has lived in Rome for the past 15 years.

But I thought it was up to The Holy Spirit to chose?

Kidding aside, I think The Holy Spirit will spare us this round of an American pope, until the AMChurch (in general) gets it's act together.

Even then, I'm not holding my breath.

[DBeers]

But absolutely no one has put, say, Los Angeles Cardinal Roger Mahony, the only California cardinal, or Baltimore Cardinal William Keeler, the longest-reigning leader of an American archdiocese, on their top 10 lists...

Wonder why? LOL

[Cannonball Bill]

how can anybody speculate? this is nonsense. "they" know just about as much as I do.

[Fred]

Cardinal Roger Mahony?? Is he a Catholic???

[Kaslin]

Good point

[escapefromboston]

Father John Corapi has my vote for Pope (that is, if I could vote).

[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 )
WILL INDIAN PONTIFF SUCCEED POPE?
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

Interview with Cardinal José Saraiva Martins
Cardinals Head to Vatican for Conclave
Pope's Election Shocked Communist Poland ~~ On an icy October night a quarter-century ago.....
The Next Pope? Twenty leading possibilities
Assessing the Papal Electors

The quest stands upon the edge of a knife... (Hewitt on the Conclave)
Date for election of new pope set (April 18)
The College of Cardinals - What is it, why is it, what they do, and who they are.
A Bishop According to John Paul's Heart?
An American pope just isn't in the cards - U.S. high clergy eligible to be chosen, but world ...

[pgkdan]

There's not much that could make me leave the Church, but electing one of the morally bankrupt buffoons masquerading as American Princes of the Church to succeed John Paul the Great would be right up there as one of my top motivators.

I know that there's not much charity expressed in that thought...but the American hierarchy, with a few notable exceptions, is simply dreadful. I had hopes that John Paul would make a much greater course change in the Church in America, and I reckon he did the best he could. He probably chose the best of a bad lot.

[ArrogantBustard]

Of the lot, I think only Justin Cardinal Rigali (Philadelphia) does not make me want to puke.

[siunevada]

But absolutely no one has put, say, Los Angeles Cardinal Roger Mahony...on their top 10 lists.

Oh, golly. What a disappointment.

[pgkdan]

Of the lot, I think only Justin Cardinal Rigali (Philadelphia) does not make me want to puke.

Agreed...and I like his predecessor, Cardinal Bevilaqua alot too but that's it!

[saradippity]

I think time will show that Cardinal George is also a fine and holy man. He stepped into a mined field when he replaced that slickster "our brother Joseph", (Bernardin)