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 live in Rome and this is currently talk of the office. If there is white smoke today we’re going down to Saint Peter’s for a look. I’m hoping for Zuppi. I met him last year and really liked him. He’s very funny, and very normal, very down to earth.

Or perhaps Timothy Radcliffe

Those gold thrones won’t pay for themselves

It is fascinating how the world is fixated on a chimney over the coming days. I wonder if it's we are so used to having so much information especially where it comes to when leaders are elected and we have an idea of voting outcomes from media even whilst votes are going on, and this is a secretive and traditional process going back many centuries and none of us know what really goes on in there, meeting our modern world of constant news and communication.

How exciting!!

They we're just saying on Sky that you're not allowed to lobby, so no 'vote for me because...' type of speeches.

Apparently you're just supposed to feel the presence of the holy spirit around you and go in the direction that is guiding you. So more 'vibes' than 'facts' perhaps. Fascinating...

I think it’s probably thought tacky to campaign for yourself.

I would say also more into rituals, pomp and circumstance, separation from the masses etc. Whilst still being pope and having to do some of that, I think Francis tried to get away from that a bit - such as wearing white rather than all the red stuff and not having a flash coffin, taking public transport, phoning ordinary people in the Gazan church on a nightly basis since the start of the war etc. etc.

I wouldn’t really want a European pope. I think the next one needs to come from somewhere like Africa where the Church is growing but is being persecuted. That’s why I’d like Sarah, or Pizzabella.

As a very lapsed Catholic ,I think.it would be interesting if we had a pope from one of the African nations ,where the Catholic church is growing rather than Europe
An Italian pope would be very boring.

Lucky you to a) be living in Rome and b) to be living there at a historic moment like this.
I’ve just googled Zuppi and yes he seems lovely and “holy” ie he seems as if he has a lot of humility.

From my very knowledgeable opinion ( I watched two popes,on Netflix last week😂) they sit around discussing who they think should be pope and trying to.persuade the other cardinals.

I've just finished Conclave too, I found it fascinating and really enjoyed the insight into the process. Father Lomeli had it all going on didn't he.

Would you say the book is better than the film (I've not read/watched either)

I also think Zuppi isn’t boring. Apparently a character - in a good way - and like Poor Francis has a focus on the poor and marginalised.

I think he’s a good balance between progressive and safe.

100% agree. Africa or Asia, the Catholic Church is growing on both continents and it would be great to have a black or Asian Pope.

In other words, stop all the really good stuff he did. No, thanks.

Oh I’ve missed the edit window . That was obviously meant to be Pope Francis not poor Francis.

Im not sure there has been an Italian Pope for some time has there? I don’t see why that would matter. I just hope the right man for the role gets it.

Well exactly! That's why I wouldn't like a traditionalist. Just pointing out it's not just about views on homosexuality or abortion!

Pope Francis was strongly anti-abortion, strongly no female deacons/priests but did make moves to incorporate gay people into the Church, though actual marriage between gay people in the church remains unavailable. My point being that Pope Francis was very pastoral but was also quite traditional in his own way.

We watched The Conclave on Netflix last night, its really good and an interesting insight into the process
Final twist was a bit annoying but some good acting

He didn’t really make any moves to incotporate gay people into the church-all he said was “Who am I to judge?”

Well, actually, you’re the Pope! If not you, then who?

Not ‘just’ about women in positions of authority in the church, homosexuality, contraception and abortion, but those things seem important!

Have seen bits in the press in the past, eg reporting on conferences, about certain branches’ (?) of the church with more ‘conservative’ or ‘traditional’ views / policies, which have referred to homosexuality and women.

And a very traditionalist Pope would be very bad in the Global South. The Church being strongly opposed to the use of condoms allows HIV/AIDS to run unchecked.

Watch Jean-Marc Aveline from Marseille!

So maybe that’s his point: no one should.