Who is going to be the next Pope

[Viviennemary]

The Conclave starts today. I'm quite interested to see who will be the successor to Francis.

Seems Cardinal Parolin is the favourite. He's Italian. I hope its not him. Very conventional knows the ropes. Bit of a boring choice.

Cardinal Tagle from the Philippines. Now that would be a lot more interesting. There is a huge Catholic population there. He's second favourite.

Then Cardinal Turkson from Ghana I think. Now that will be really interesting. I think a good thing.

Then Cardinal Zuppi another Italian. Again boring. We need somebody to make a mark but maybe not too big a one.

Anyone got an opinion on this.

@Abhannmorhes 80 in November and should have retired long ago.

An elderly white man.

Whoever the new Pope is, he should probably decline a meeting with JD Vance......

I have Robert Francis Prevost in the Fantasy Pope League. Sadly he’s looking like an also-ran.

There are some worryingly traditionalist candidates. Robert Sarah would be a bad choice.

Donald J Trump thinks it should be him.

Hilarious because when he said how much he liked the bible, he was asked if he preferred the New Testament or the Old Testament. He said he “likes them both equally”.

And when asked what his favourite bible verse was, he couldn’t come up with one. Even a child who has been in Sunday School for a few sessions can repeat John 3:16.

Isn’t Robert Sarah too old?

I hope so. But I think so long as you’re under 80 you’re not too old. Sadly, in his case.

Part of my political awakening happened when I was very young indeed and a nun was explaining the whole “chosen by the Holy Spirit” thing and she said thoughtfully “But it is interesting how often the Holy Spirit chooses a rich Italian.” This was a very long time ago!

I thought he was 80. Seems he’s still 79 for another month.

A cardinal who is over 80 cannot vote - but he can be elected as pope.

This made me laugh a lot!

As a 'dip in and out' catholic I'm fascinated by the conclave and waiting with baited breath but it will be a few days I think

The passing of the pope Francis has promoted desire to have my children baptised though which is interesting

He’s Irish, born in a working class Dublin suburb. He’s the governance man. Not sure he’s eligible for election?

My money is on Zuppi but I selected him on the basis I select race horses. Like the look of him compared to the rest.

And a Liverpool Supporter!😇

I wsas saying exactly the same this morning to my DH! the candidates are from a wide range of ethnic and cultural backgrounds...but chances are like you say a white Italian guy

As it’s not Burke or Sarah I don’t really mind.

More Francis and less Benedict, I hope. And certainly not Sarah!

I think Cardinal Parolin is a distinct possibility.

I don't think Cardinal Turkson will be chosen. I met him about 15 years ago, a pleasant man and gave an interesting talk about development issues.

I’m worried it’s a very conservative Pope coming

You’re thinking of pope soap on a rope!

Didn’t a chapter of the bible say that the last pope will be called “Peter the Roman”, after which the Catholic church will be no more? Something like that. Anyway, seems risky to appoint Pietro the Italian guy…

Have a feeling it's Cardinal Peter Turkson.

Zuppi would be my choice too, based on the same rationale!

St Malachy's prophecy https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/263657/cna-explains-what-is-the-st-malachy-prophecy-and-why-are-people-talking-about-it