Lightning strikes Vatican as African could succeed Pope Benedict
Published: 2013 February 11 22:42:13 (6061 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
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