Given that so far we've only seen black smoke, here's a little more on some names that might come up in dicussions inside the Sistine Chapel. None of them are necessarily favorites, though all the Italians have been mentioned by various Vatican source. They are just names to keep in mind in case the man who emerges on the balcony isn't a Tettamanzi, Ratzinger, or one of the oft-mentioned Latin Americans.
John Paul II made a comment about his successor between the 2001 and 2003 consistories that suggested that his successor would be someone who was not yet in the College of Cardinals. If that prediction holds true, his successor could be of any of 31 men. As this period of prognostications and unusual interest in Church personnel matters continues, I thought I would briefly describe six of them. Three are Italians whose names have made the list of papabile. The others are non-Italians who are not generally viewed to be likely contenders, but might be interesting choices.
Cardinal Angelo Scola, 63, the Patriarch of Venice, appears the most likely choice from this consistory. He’s a clear doctrinal conservative. But this former rector of the Lateran University is also considered to have a curious mind and a gracious interpersonal style.
Tarcisco Bertone, 70, the Archbishop of Genoa and a Salesian, is another clear doctrinal conservative. He used to be the Secretary of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (headed by Cardinal Ratzinger).
Ennio Antonelli, 68, the Archbishop of Florence, is generally viewed as more moderate than the other two Italians. He’s very interested in peace and justice issues, is seen as a very successful pastor and is often compared to Pope John Paul I.
Carlos Amigo Vallejo, 70 the Archbishop of Seville, is a Spanish Franciscan. Orthodox on doctrine, he has been actively involved in relations with the Islamic world. He supervised the opening of diplomatic relations between the Vatican and Morocco when he was Archbishop of Tangiers.
Bernard Panafieu, 74, the Archbishop of Marseilles, is like Antonelli, a doctrinal moderate. He has also taken a lead role in relations with Islam, a key issue in his native France.
Rodolfo Quezada Toruno, 73, Archbishop of Guatemala, like France’s Panafieu hasn’t made media lists of the papabile. But he could be an interesting candidate who could potentially bring together developing world cardinals, those on the left-wing of the Latin American church, and those who believe that church leaders should be a very public voice in the civil and moral affairs of their country. He has been a prominent figure in seeking to heal his war-torn country.
Posted by armand at April 19, 2005 08:21 AM | TrackBack | Posted to Religion