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.

I'm not in any way a catholic and am fairly close to atheist, but I love the history and pomp and ceremony of Catholicism.

I've followed the last 2 conclaves with great interest, and will be fascinated to see who they pick. It's never the favourite.
There's an old adage, "enter conclave the pope, leave a cardinal." In other words, the chap who goes in thinking the job is theirs, won't get it.

I'd quite like that Tagle bloke from the Philippines to get it. Fairly moderate (as cardinals go), and he just has a good aura around him. But I suspect they'll go for someone with more diplomatic experience. A European.

It won't be a north American, as much as the American news outlets would like to hope "one of theirs" will get it. And I'd be VERY surprised if it was one of the Africans. As much as it would be really interesting, I just don't think the church is quite "there" yet.

They are taking so long, though. Maybe they chose not to vote at all today and they're back at their lodgings having a spaghetti supper while everyone else is staring at a chimney.

I bet they have a bar in there?

He’s easily the most liberal. And he’s actively doing some good stuff. Please make it him!!

I can’t quite believe my evening has been reduced to watching a chimney. At what point does the media give up or will this go on all night?

Black smoke

Zuppi! Zuppi!

I think the Conservatives should adopt this mechanism for their next leadership election. It would liven things up somewhat.

Well that was strangely exciting. I enjoyed watching the crowds

He was born in Liverpool.

Really, it's the least our our concerns let's face it

Trump anyone? Pakistan? India? Russia? Sudan? Elon Musk??

Bigger issues to consider

Love how we're all glued to a chimney in Rome for the evening. Until tomorrow chimney watchers!

We can be concerned/be interested in more than one thing at once.

That is really useful.

From that guide, I think I’d choose Cardinal Stephen Brislin

I agree. It's a change from Harrys latest escapades. Well nobody elected tonight.

After waiting for ages I went to eat dinner and there was smoke while I was gone.
perhaps if I’d eaten earlier you wouldn’t have had to watch the chimney for so long.

I have a good feeling about Pizzaballa. The world could do with a bit more interfaith dialogue and understanding, which he has been a champion of.

I think the elected Pope has never been well known or a favorite. I clearly remember everyone going "Who is that?!"when Francis stepped out on the balcony.

I'm hoping for an African traditionalist pope.

I think the real heart of the church now lies un in Africa. It's dying in western Europe.

I'd like Cardinal Sarah.

But I think we'll get an Italian liberal (although a liberal pope is far from what non Catholics like to imagine they are!)

I'm also hoping for a Pope Clement.

We've not had one of those for a while.

But we'll probably get a John.

I'd love it to be Mario Grech.

I would second this.
Papal name: Pope Ambrose, Patron Saint of Bee Keepers

Is he a bee keeper then?

But it's happening, so a bit disingenuous to pretend it's not and that Catholics won't be interested.

Do you not talk about anything else then because of what's on the news? School/work/what's for dinner etc

Well whoever they choose, the new Pope will be old and he will be a guy.

As Meatloaf would say "Two out of three ain't bad"

More like Pope Ambrose, Patron Saint of Rice Puddings.