My own hopes for the new Pope would be either Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith (Sri Lanka) or Cardinal Raymond Burke (USA). Either man would be awesome.
(Burke is, imo, the best USA Cardinal. He and Sean O'Malley are both better than Dolan, in my opinion).
Both are "young" enough (by Papal standards) - 65 and 64, respectively, 20- years younger than Benedict.
However, I do not think we will get an American Pope. Such may lead to concerns about the relationship between the Vatican and the White House, which could possibly negatively affect the relations of the Holy See with all of Russia, China, Islamic states etc.
What criteria are there:
- someone who cannot be feared to be under anyones influence (as an American Pope might)
- someone who has the right ideas for the direction of the Church
- someone who is a good comunicator
- a fresh face, not just the usual european white guy (there have been several non-white Popes in history, but not recently).
Malcolm Ranjith ticks all these boxes, and then some. As stated he is young and he also speaks 10 languages. His vision for the Church would be perfectly placed to carry-on Benedicts liturgical reforms and the negotiatons with the SSPX group. And as a Sri-Lankan, his identity would have a freshness about it and the Papacy would have a new perspective.
The election of a new Pope is a special time for Catholics. For starters, we get to see who the "new guy" is (its always a bit "funny" at first, going from a fond and familiar face to a new guy) and we also get to have a good laugh at all the contrived shock and outrage in the media that a Catholic (of all people) has been appointed as Pope.
(Burke is, imo, the best USA Cardinal. He and Sean O'Malley are both better than Dolan, in my opinion).
Both are "young" enough (by Papal standards) - 65 and 64, respectively, 20- years younger than Benedict.
However, I do not think we will get an American Pope. Such may lead to concerns about the relationship between the Vatican and the White House, which could possibly negatively affect the relations of the Holy See with all of Russia, China, Islamic states etc.
What criteria are there:
- someone who cannot be feared to be under anyones influence (as an American Pope might)
- someone who has the right ideas for the direction of the Church
- someone who is a good comunicator
- a fresh face, not just the usual european white guy (there have been several non-white Popes in history, but not recently).
Malcolm Ranjith ticks all these boxes, and then some. As stated he is young and he also speaks 10 languages. His vision for the Church would be perfectly placed to carry-on Benedicts liturgical reforms and the negotiatons with the SSPX group. And as a Sri-Lankan, his identity would have a freshness about it and the Papacy would have a new perspective.
The election of a new Pope is a special time for Catholics. For starters, we get to see who the "new guy" is (its always a bit "funny" at first, going from a fond and familiar face to a new guy) and we also get to have a good laugh at all the contrived shock and outrage in the media that a Catholic (of all people) has been appointed as Pope.
