It is hard to know when a new pope will be elected. Prior to entering into the formal conclave this afternoon the cardinals have already had several days of collective discussion, before which they had plenty of opportunity, since the announcement of Pope Benedict’s abdication, for informal exchanges. In addition, while no discussion takes place during the voting within the Sistine Chapel they can talk over the business at other points during the day(s) and evening(s) so it may be that things move fairly speedily and there is an outcome in the next couple of days.
The only one of those widely identified as “papbile” whom I know personally is Gianfranco Cardinal Ravasi, President of the Pontifical Council of Culture, to which I was appointed a Consultor on the authority of Pope Benedict. I began in the role in 2005 under his predecessor Paul Cardinal Poupard and continued when the then-Archbishop Ravasi was appointed (in 2007) from his previous post as Prefect of the Ambrosian Library in Milan. He is a biblical scholar and is a prominent member of several Vatican departments. Although an academic and intellectual he is also known for popular broadcasts on themes from the Bible. Whether or not he is elected he is likely to be a prominent figure in the certain effort of the Vatican to engage more widely and more effectively with the secular culture of Western Europe.
March 12th, 2013 | 1:33 pm
If the Vatican’s greatest concern is the secularity of Europe haven’t they missed to boat?
March 12th, 2013 | 9:43 pm
CoastRanger, no, I don’t believe Ravasi is ignorant of the issues around secularization in Europe and the West. In fact, as President of the Pontifical Council on Culture, he has been closely associated with the so-called Court of the Gentiles, which is a place for diaogue with non-Catholics and especially non-Christians. Ravasi is very widely read, and can quote almost any author at random. He has been called a “human Internet” and the “most interesting man in the Church,” and once joked that he had no need for Google. Ravasi would be my personal favorite, most of all because he can also connect with the existential issues faced by young people and those who have been abused by the Church.
March 13th, 2013 | 12:32 pm
Ravasi is part of the Curial group, and I hope he is not elected. The Church must not align herself with government for perceived advantages. This is not her mission. Her mission is:
“18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”” Matthew 28:16-20, NRSV-Catholic Edition.
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