Lightning strikes Vatican as African could succeed Pope Benedict
Published: 2013 February 11 22:42:13 (6057 Views)
Lightning has struck the Vatican hours after Pope Benedict XVI's bolt-from-the-blue resignation.
The lightning touched the dome of St. Peter's Basilica, one of the holiest Catholic churches, after the Pope's shock admission he lacks strength to do the job.
Following Pope Benedict's announcement that he will retire on February 28th Cardinal Peter Turkson of Ghana and Cardinal Francis Arinze of Nigeria are in the frame to become the first ever black pope.
With a Canadian, a Honduran and other Latin Americans among the unofficial front-runners, the Roman Catholic Church could well elect its first non-European since the Great Schism with the Eastern church in the 11th century when it replaces Benedict XVI.
Given the highly secretive nature of the conclave of the College of Cardinals that chooses popes, predicting the decision is an uncertain business.
Pope John Paul II emerged quite late in the process and went on to have a major impact. Many Vatican watchers failed to pick the German Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger last time round.
Two senior Vatican officials have recently dropped surprisingly clear hints that the next pope could well be from Latin America.
The early bookmaker’s favourite, Cardinal Turkson is currently president of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace.
He is regarded as a very able communicator, and given that Pope Benedict’s age was the key factor in his decision to retire, Cardinal Turkson’s relative young age of 64 could count in his favour.
“My guess is they will probably look for something different,” said Lord Alton, the Liberal life peer.
“I am personally impressed by someone like Turkson. There is no tokenism about him. He is a very able man and deeply compassionate regarding pastoral work. It would be a courageous decision but they do sometimes take risks.”
Given the abruptness of the Pope’s departure, the 80-year-old Cardinal Arinze might seem a safer bet. Furthermore, his name was mentioned in 2005 when the current pope was elected.
Both Africans are sufficiently orthodox to please conservatives, while their developing world background will please many liberals.
- Telegraph
The lightning touched the dome of St. Peter's Basilica, one of the holiest Catholic churches, after the Pope's shock admission he lacks strength to do the job.
Following Pope Benedict's announcement that he will retire on February 28th Cardinal Peter Turkson of Ghana and Cardinal Francis Arinze of Nigeria are in the frame to become the first ever black pope.
With a Canadian, a Honduran and other Latin Americans among the unofficial front-runners, the Roman Catholic Church could well elect its first non-European since the Great Schism with the Eastern church in the 11th century when it replaces Benedict XVI.
Given the highly secretive nature of the conclave of the College of Cardinals that chooses popes, predicting the decision is an uncertain business.
Pope John Paul II emerged quite late in the process and went on to have a major impact. Many Vatican watchers failed to pick the German Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger last time round.
Two senior Vatican officials have recently dropped surprisingly clear hints that the next pope could well be from Latin America.
The early bookmaker’s favourite, Cardinal Turkson is currently president of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace.
He is regarded as a very able communicator, and given that Pope Benedict’s age was the key factor in his decision to retire, Cardinal Turkson’s relative young age of 64 could count in his favour.
“My guess is they will probably look for something different,” said Lord Alton, the Liberal life peer.
“I am personally impressed by someone like Turkson. There is no tokenism about him. He is a very able man and deeply compassionate regarding pastoral work. It would be a courageous decision but they do sometimes take risks.”
Given the abruptness of the Pope’s departure, the 80-year-old Cardinal Arinze might seem a safer bet. Furthermore, his name was mentioned in 2005 when the current pope was elected.
Both Africans are sufficiently orthodox to please conservatives, while their developing world background will please many liberals.
- Telegraph
0
You May Like These Videos
WATCH: Victims Narrate Ordeal After Being Clobbered By Riot Cops
FLASHBACK: Morgan Tsvangirai Won't Resign Despite Illness 
Police Violently Beat Harare Protesters 
Zimbabwean Man Who Was Shot By Tswana Employer Appeals For HelpComments
There are no comments.
Get Zim Metro Updates Alerts
Big Reads
Schoolgirl drops out after continuous 'sexual abuse' by teacher
by Staff Reporter | 2019 August 13 07:42:33
Mugabe Knows Nothing About The Zimbabwe Constitution: MP
by Staff Reporter | 2016 October 01 08:12:02
Zim's Protesting Graduates Risk Losing Degrees For Expressing Anger Against Mugabe
by Staff Reporter | 2016 October 01 07:57:08
Troubled Harare Giants Dynamos Falls Into Another Deep Crisis
by Own Correspondent | 2016 October 01 07:49:17
Grace Mugabe Grovels At Mnangagwa, Says I Did Not Ask Ubaba To Fire You
by Staff Reporter | 2016 October 01 07:31:48
Mugabe Attacks Mawarire, Claims The Exiled Pastor Failed To Divide Zimbabwe
by Staff Reporter | 2016 October 01 07:19:13
Shock As Local Bank Denies 'Rich' Mugabe's Son Heifty Credit
by Own Correspondent | 2016 September 30 19:14:54Trouble For Police Officers Who Have Been Mercilessly Bludgeoning Protesters
by Staff Reporter | 2016 October 01 07:20:19
Mugabe "Home Coming" And "Thank You" Rally On Cards
by Own Correspondent | 2016 September 23 06:48:24
Prof Moyo Was Dumped By Western Embassies, Claims Mutsvangwa
by Staff Reporter | 2016 September 22 10:08:07Broke RBZ Tracks Down Zimbabweans Living Outside The Country Over Taxi
by Staff Reporter | 2016 September 22 09:16:20
You Are Too Old To Lead, Aging Zim President Mugabe Told
by Own Correspondent | 2016 September 22 07:19:25
Anti-Corruption Commission Loses Property In Failed Probe
by Own Correspondent | 2016 September 20 03:18:19
.jpg)
SHOCKING:14 Year Old HIV-Positive Boy Rapes 7 Pupils
by Own Correspondent | 2016 September 20 00:04:55
