But is He Scriptural?

This coming Monday, 18 April 2005, the College of Cardinals will go into "conclave" to elect a new pope. This is traditionally done whenever a pope dies. The College of Cardinals are secreted away and locked up (the basic meaning of "conclave") and until we see white smoke there is no communication between this group of men and the outside world. It's not quite as bad as being sequestered for the O. J. Simpson trial, but a hardship nevertheless. Although this time around the Cardinals actually have some nice accommodations while they stay in the Vatican. In the past the lodgings for such conclaves were Spartan.

Modern technology is evident today that wasn't around in 1978 when John Paul II was elected. There was no internet or 24 hour news channels back then. The Sistine Chapel will be scoured to detect any possible bugging or recording devices. Just like in Vegas, what happens and is said in the Sistine Chapel stays in the Sistine Chapel.

There has been speculation for some time now about a possible successor to John Paul II. It was furtive at first; no one wants to talk about such things while a pope is living, even though it was evident that the late pontiff wasn't long for this world. But since the death of John Paul II, the lists of possible successors has been lengthy, with each news and media outlet giving their own perspective and spin on the candidates.

To be sure there are some politics involved. And, we are told, any cardinal entering the conclave seeking to be pope will leave a cardinal. So the key is, don't appear to be too eager. Hmm, if someone seems really ambivalent about the job, would that also be a clue that maybe the guy is trying too hard not to appear too eager?

Anyway, reading the lists of possible successors is interesting. Each one is given "labels," if you will. Some are labeled "Conservative," some "Liberal" (although since John Paul named most of the cardinals, there are very few of the latter). Some are seen as ideal because they come from fast-growing Catholic areas like Latin America, Africa, or Asia. Yet others see the next pope coming from Western Europe, likely Italy, because Western Europe and Italy have votes that do not reflect the percentages of Catholics in the worldwide church. Interestingly, no American ever gets on a list (although Archbishop Timothy Dolan of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, should be seriously considered for the job). Given that the pope is first and foremost the Bishop of Rome, it would seem logical that the Pope be Italian. But I have no vote or say in the matter.

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