So, Jon…who’s this Cardinal Arinze? I haven’t heard of him.

Gee, I hope he’s not quite as much into the Opus Dei school of thought (unquestioning obedience, more attention to dogma than compassion, etc) as the priests here seem to be!

[color=darkblue:3cvixmuz]Arinze is from Nigeria is he not?
What is wrong with good Cardinal Ratzinger? I like him.[/color:3cvixmuz]

[quote:zryp2m85]Ok, I know this probably sounds dumb, but, how exactly do or will they go about choosing the next pope? What is the process? I know (very dumb) but I really have no idea [/quote:zryp2m85]
Don’t worry. ” title=”Smile” /> You’re not expected to know everything and I certainly don’t know some things as well.

Anyway, in brief, when the reigning pope dies within a short time all the Cardinals of the world under 80 years old get together in Rome (called a [i:zryp2m85]conclave[/i:zryp2m85]).

They then spend time with each other and begin a process of voting each day until there is a majority or unanimous (can’t remember which) vote for the next successor of Peter.

This process can take days, weeks, months and even years.

Yeah, if I remember correctly there was a time in history when it took almost 3 years to elect a new pope.

I could be wrong, but I’m pretty sure about it.

[color=darkblue:2qlr951z]Jon,
generally it’s done pdq isn’t it though? most of the dates in my books seem to be a matter of weeks at the most, and the last couple have been really quick.
Pax vobiscum,[/color:2qlr951z]

It has been some time since JP2 became Pope. I can’t remember anyone predicting that JP2 would be the one. Nor can I remember anyone predicting that JP1 would be the one. Was it not a surprise to everyone? Or was I just too unaware at the time?

So I have heard this theory about Cardinal Arinze before. People seem to think that Africa is the next ‘Russia’ so to speak in terms of the Holy Spirit’s focus. Someone who understands Africa the way JP2 understood Poland and the Eastern bloc seems, according to many, indicated for our Church. Has the focus on communism ended? Is Asia not interesting? I guess Africa has such a spectrum of needs and banners. There is certainly the AIDS epidemic, the genocides, the war-affected children, Islam, and other things which do not come to mind. Or are we moving toward a focus on international terrorist cartels? In what region would a potential pope emerge for that?

But I meander. I basically know nothing about how popes are chosen. Nothing at all. Right now I am just worried about the one we have. I will miss him so much when God calls him home.