To Be A Pope

"You're not supposed to look for it and you're not supposed to want it, but there's going to be 115 cardinals in Rome and I'd say 114 of them would love to be pope."
 "Last time, there was a real sentiment of 'Let's get another John Paul II. Now with all the rumours coming out of the Vatican, I think there's a lot of sentiment among the cardinals of 'We need somebody who will clean house."
Thomas Groome, professor of theology, Boston College

Well there are exceptions to everything. Ghanaian Cardinal Peter Turkson informed The Associated Press of his opinion, that it is time for a pontiff from the developing world. And, "if it's the will of God", he would be modestly willing to sacrifice himself for the post, to don the papal robes, and sacrifice himself as the ultimate Catholic shepherd.

Pope Benedict was said to have been extremely unwilling to be elevated to the position. And his humility in accepting the verdict of his peers was one of contrition; despite his wish not to be selected, he was, and he would accept the inevitable for he had little other choice, given the circumstances. One is called and one responds.

"Too much blatant ambition was always frowned on, perhaps because the Holy Spirit was supposed to be guiding the election. If a cardinal was actively seeking the election, he would be seen as thwarting the Spirit", explained Fred Baumgartner, author of Behind Locked Doors: A History of Papal Elections.

Canada may yet see one of her own elevated to the papacy. "Cardinal Ouellet is a man who has beautiful spiritual qualities", offered Archbishop of Quebec, Gerald Cyprien Lacroix of the man whom many have included among the front runner potentials as the chosen one.

That the incoming pope will be a reflection of the outgoing pope's conservative values is a given, since most of the cardinals owe their present position to the conferring of that station of their spiritual life to Pope Benedict, now to be viewed as Pope Emeritus.  Who has pledged, despite the title, not to interfere with the authority of his replacement.

"Among you is also the future pope, whom I today promise my unconditional reverence and obedience", Pope Benedict said in addressing the cardinals, defusing any concerns surrounding potential conflicts with two popes residing in close communion with one another within Vatican City.

But meantime, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, with the College of Cardinals will reign until the conclave.

The helicoper with Pope Benedict XVI aboard flies past St.Peter's Square at the Vatican on Thursday in Rome. He flew to Castel Gandolfo where he has spent his summers enjoying the quiet gardens overlooking Lake Albano.                         Alberto Pizzoli,AFP/Getty Images

"May the College of Cardinals work like an orchestra, where diversity -- an expression of the universal church -- always works toward a higher and harmonious agreement", said the emeritus pope in a blessing, before departing for Castel Gandolfo, and the first weeks of his retirement.

Labels: Celebrity, Christianity, Heritage, Human Relations, Italy

posted by Pieface @ Saturday, March 02, 2013