Who would you like to see become Pope in the near future?

[MisSkeptic]

Whenever the Catholic Church holds a Papal conclave to elect the next Pope, Catholics and non-Catholics alike anticipate who'll become the next Pope. It can be days, maybe even weeks till we know who will lead the Catholic Church.

Other than the smoke singling there was a successful or non-successful election, people speculate what Cardinals have the best chance of being elected. Better known as Papabili, these Cardinals stand the greatest chance out of themselves in being elected. However, as history has shown multiple times, that is not always the case. Pope John paull II being a good example.

As a non-Catholic, let alone someone who's an atheist, I enjoy watching Papal conclaves on the news. For whatever reason I enjoy seeing the audience cheer when the white smoke appears, the bells ring in the Sistine chapel and the new Pope emerging with the Cardinals by his side. There's a magical feel to it.

Which is why I ask who do you believe would become the next Pope. Yes, I know I'm jumping the gun on this one. Pope Francis can live for another decade before the next Papal conclave. And by that time many of the current Cardinals will be either dead, retired, or past the voting age of 80. Whoever will become Cardinals in the near future could easily become Papabili and elected Pope.

But let's not spoil the fun. Who do you think, out of the current 118 possible Cardinal electors, would become Pope if there was a Papal conclave today.

For my choice would to be Cardinal Seán Patrick O'Malley. Another member here mentioned O'Malley, and after checking him out, I started to appreciate his leadership abilities, his zero tolerance policy to sex abuse in the church, humility and so forth.

This is the person who I can respect. Not only is he faithful and humbled, but is not above to helping others. I really think that's great after reading about numerous controversies that the Catholic church is facing today. O'Malley is someone who I believe would be a great Pope.  

[Oswald Acted Alone, You Kook]

A Black person.

[True Federalist (진정한 연방 주의자)]

A Black person.

Ben Carson? 😇

[RI]

A Black person.

Ben Carson? 😇

His first act would be to move all masses to Saturdays.

[Grumpier Than Uncle Joe]

Cardinal Wuerl, former Pittsburgher.

[Blue3]

I almost thought Sean Patrick O'Malley would be elected the current Pope.

He'll probably have a good chance again.

[7,052,770]

Any liberal and/or pro-gay would be good, and any conservative would be bad. No real preference other than that.

[MisSkeptic]

I almost thought Sean Patrick O'Malley would be elected the current Pope.

He'll probably have a good chance again.

Yes, I agree. Hopefully he'll have a far better chance next time. Pope Francis II!

[Frodo]

An African -wouldn't it be the first time in about 1,500 years?

[MisSkeptic]

An African -wouldn't it be the first time in about 1,500 years?

There were Popes who were from Africa in the past. Pope Miltiades was from North Africa, and historians believe his ethnicity was Berber, but scholar Richard P. McBrien believes he was Roman. Maybe he was mixed? Who knows!

 

[Oswald Acted Alone, You Kook]

An African -wouldn't it be the first time in about 1,500 years?

There have been 3 African Popes, but we don't know if they were Black or not, so that's why I want a Black Pope.

[MisSkeptic]

An African -wouldn't it be the first time in about 1,500 years?

There have been 3 African Popes, but we don't know if they were Black or not, so that's why I want a Black Pope.

You know, I think that will be very possible. Because many developing nations have strong populations of Catholics; while in the industrial nations, like in Europe, Catholic numbers are shrinking.

[Blue3]

Well, last time the most likely of the African cardinals to be elected was very conservative, superstitious, and sexist, from what I remember reading about him. What the Pope believes is more important that what nationality he's from.

[MisSkeptic]

Well, last time the most likely of the African cardinals to be elected was very conservative, superstitious, and sexist, from what I remember reading about him. What the Pope believes is more important that what nationality he's from.

Not just that but the Pope's background. Even though Pope Benedict XIV and his families didn't support the Nazi party, the media presented him as "the Nazi Pope" which I think is unfair.

However, you have to remember we live in the age where not only people can do anything about you, but make up anything about you and it'll become apart of your image.

 

[Figueira]

An African -wouldn't it be the first time in about 1,500 years?

There were Popes who were from Africa in the past. Pope Miltiades was from North Africa, and historians believe his ethnicity was Berber, but scholar Richard P. McBrien believes he was Roman. Maybe he was mixed? Who knows!

 

Hence "1,500 years"

[Why]

I hope this Pope is the last Pope but if there must be another one then a lesbian would be good, it is what this godless institution deserves.

[Oswald Acted Alone, You Kook]

I hope this Pope is the last Pope but if there must be another one then a lesbian would be good, it is what this godless institution deserves.

The heck? Why would there be a female Pope? Unless you mean a Greek Pope, from that particular island.

[DC Al Fine]

I don't suppose there are any cardinals willing to get rid of Mariology, Papal infallibility, sacerdotalism etc, replace it with the Five Solas and embrace Reformed faith are there?

Barring that, Marc Oullet because I am Canadian.

[rpryor03]

I'm a huge fan of Cardinal Tagle.

[TJ in Oregon]

Voted Oullet of these choices. I would like Dolan but doubt they'd pick an American. I expect the next Pope will have orthodox views but not be particularly in-your-face about it since that seems to be where the political balance hangs right now. For instance there is no way Cardinals Kasper or Sarah would get elected, at least based on what I can read from the media's recent coverage.

[MyRescueKittehRocks]

I don't suppose there are any cardinals willing to get rid of Mariology, Papal infallibility, sacerdotalism etc, replace it with the Five Solas and embrace Reformed faith are there with a continualist view on the Gifts of the Holy Spirit

Barring that, Turkson

Here tweak there a tweak.

[Okay, maybe Mike Johnson is a competent parliamentarian.]

O'Malley is most of what I would want in a pope. Tagle or Schönborn would also be good.

[afleitch]

O'Malley is most of what I would want in a pope. Tagle or Schönborn would also be good.

O'Malley?  Stroppy 'I'm not sharing the same space with Enda Kelly', pro choice Catholic politicians should be excommunicated, backing schools throwing put 8 year old children because their parents are lesbians O'Malley?  He might throw liturgical scraps at women but that's all he brings to the table.

[Okay, maybe Mike Johnson is a competent parliamentarian.]

O'Malley is most of what I would want in a pope. Tagle or Schönborn would also be good.

O'Malley?  Stroppy 'I'm not sharing the same space with Enda Kelly', pro choice Catholic politicians should be excommunicated, backing schools throwing put 8 year old children because their parents are lesbians O'Malley?  He might throw liturgical scraps at women but that's all he brings to the table.

I'm familiar with some of what you're alluding to. All I can say is that here in Boston he's almost universally understood to have been improving greatly over the past few years.

However I'm on further reflection not really entirely happy with taking the chance that he hasn't and that the impression that he gives of having been doing so is an act, so Tagle or Schönborn, then, I guess.

[🦀🎂🦀🎂]

A Filipino would be a pretty interesting choice, tbh.