The Next Pope?

13 JUN 08

Roman Catholic tradition indicates that the next Pope will be the last one. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prophecy_of_Saint_Malachy and http://www.catholic-pages.com/grabbag/malachy.asp While we should not stand on any non scriptural tradition, Benedict XVI at 80 is visibly slowing down. Benedict may be empowered and strengthened to last until the return of Christ, or he may go the way of all flesh. If he does pass on; who will replace him?

In the Catholic Church are many intelligent and highly talented persons available for a leadership position. There is no way to know for sure who the next Pope will be. There is however, one gifted and very exceptional person who is worthy of notice. I am referring to Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone.

He is currently the Vatican Secretary of State, in charge of Vatican relations with the worlds nations. He is deeply involved in relations with Israel and Islamic countries and is working with the European nations in their quest for unity.

Cardinal Bertone is also the Church Camerlengo, that is; he will be in charge of the Roman Catholic Church during the transitional period, until the new leader is chosen.

A man very interested in sport, he has captured the hearts of Europe's youth. Not speaking English he is almost unknown in North America, yet he is a very charismatic personality who is extremely popular in Europe.

Born in Romano Canavese, Piedmont on Dec 2, 1934; he is Italian and a young 73 years old.

For more background on this remarkable man see this link to Wikpedia.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tarcisio_Bertone

I am not stating that Cardinal Bertone will be the next Pope. I am saying that he is definately a man to watch.

27 AUG 09 Due to the health of Pope Benedict 16, British bookmakers are now taking bets on his successor. Today's odds are:

Francis Arinze (Nigeria) - 5/1
Cardinal Angelo Scola (Venice) - 7/1
Cardinal Oscar Rodriguez Maradiaga (Honduras) -7/1
Cardinal Angelo Bagnasco (Italy) - 8/1
Jorge Mario Bergoglio (Argentina) - 9/1

For much more information on the Papacy and its history please visit The Kingdom Messenger site.

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These are thumbnail photos. To enlarge click the photo.

When a Catholic Pope dies, a Conclave to choose the next pope may not be called for the first fourteen days. This gives time for the funeral and for the Cardinals to travel to Rome. Under the current rules, such a Conclave must be called within twenty-one days. This means that a Conclave will be called sometime between fourteen and twenty-one days.