[Deo volente]

On top of all that you cited in your post, he's a good friend and former classmate of Cardinal Mahony, and a former auxiliary bishop in the Archdiocese of Hollywood.

Until I see it confirmed, I refuse to believe it.

[livius]

Urp. Any friend of Mahony's is...

You're right, though, it seems improbable, and maybe we're jumping the gun. So far as I know, only Dominic Bettinelli has posted this; according to nickcarraway above, he has also said the Levada may be being considered for "a" post, not necessarily the leading post. And it's possible that the Pope is doing this to politely remove him from SF and replace him with somebody who's more with the program.

[Fred]

More on His Royal Highness Mahony