[TheDon]

While the eleven casted lots Jesus acted on His own and hand picked Saul/Paul. This added even more questions about the “line”.

What? You want Jesus to appear and hand choose Apostles each time one dies? I think a little divine inspiration from the Holy Ghost makes more sense. The scriptures don't spell out how Apostles are chosen other than the original 12 and Matthias. Considering that Matthias was chosen by divine inspiration of the remaining Apostles, it would seem that would be how things proceeded after the Ascension.

[rollo tomasi]

News flash, Cardinals are elected/elevated by a POLITICAL process (Cardinals pimping either themselves or close “friends”/ideological comrades) you say is divine revelation. I say it's just whoever “wins” 2/3 majority (John Paul II changed it to a simple majority if 2/3 “consensus” can't be reached) of a man made vote.

Your current Pope says the Holy Spirit "does not exactly take control of the affair", not DIRECTLY, who are you to argue with your Vicar. I forgot Razinger was a Cardinal at the time and not speaking ex cathedra, argue away.

[Iscool]

The scriptures don't spell out how Apostles are chosen other than the original 12 and Matthias.

Of course it does...God chose Paul as the last Apostle...After Paul, there were no more Apostles...