According to La Reppublica, which the American media seems to not be reporting on:
This is all a bit amazing. The massive crowd in St. Marks was praying for several minutes and things had gotten very solemn and silent. Quietly at first and then growing stronger they began chanting the Pope's name, as if they were calling him back to his window, which over looks the square.
There is also some speculation that the next Pope will be from Latin America. One Cardinal from S. America suggested that this was going to happen and the delegation from Brazil quickly shot him down publically, saying this wasn't the time for discussion about a sucessor. Looks like this might be a debate on our hands.
He'll be buried in 6-8 days and the new Pope will be chosen in about 15-18 days. I might have to go down to Rome to see all of this.
The word on the street is that the next Pope will likely be South American as they have the biggest weight within the College of Cardinals. The Italians are going to fight hard to re-establish the Papacy as an Italian institution (John Paul II was the first non-Italian Pope in over 400 years). The church is the one thing that really puts Italy on the map and the entire country has a huge vested interest in controlling that office.
Another option is an African Pope, although this would have all sorts of implications. One of the things that John Paul II was critcized for was his denile of condom use to fight AIDS in Africa, a policy not likely to be supported by an African.
Whoever is the next Pope, I doubt they will be radically diffrent than John Paul II, simply because he appointed all but a handful of the Cardinals serving today. Overall, my money is on a Latin American.
you managed to kill the popefakeredApril 2 2005, 04:15:00 UTC
I can't believe that you're there for all of this... did he actually die? I just read an article about all of this, it was an on-line source, so not necessarily American in origin. I hear it's quite an event every time a new pope is chosen, that the Cardinals are actually locked in the hall until they decide! People stand vigil and watch the smoke from the chimney or something... I can't remember what it's supposto do though.... ta ta
white vs Black smokesantakaciaApril 2 2005, 13:25:10 UTC
When the College of Cardinals vote, the decision must be unanimous. So they lock the Cardinals in a room until this happens. When they vote, the ballots are reviewed. If it is not unanimous they burn the ballots with wet straw & black smoke appears from the chimney. If it is unanimous, the ballets are burned without wet straw & the smoke is white. That way the crowds in the square know if a pope has been elected or not.
Re: White vs Black smokesantakaciaApril 2 2005, 20:25:14 UTC
Well, I've just had my bubble burst! On the radio I heard the Pope can be elected with a 2/3rds + one vote majority. There's also a new procedure, put in place by John Paul II, where in some cases the Pope can be elected by a simple majority. I'm sure Sister is turning over in her grave. She taught me that the Pope is elected unanimously by divine intervention!!! Thank goodness they still lock the cardinals up 'til they decide... For a quick read on the process read "The Shoes of the Fisherman". Its a novel but it gives some insight into the politics involved.
Jeff, if you can get up to Rome for the funeral & conclave (& NOT neglect your studies) you should go. Its history in the making..
Re: White vs Black smokejeromuApril 2 2005, 22:14:00 UTC
I will probably try to go to the funeral, which is going to be held on Wednesday. I only have one class that day and its early, so I'm sure I'd be able to get down there quickly (Rome is only about an hour and a half away).
The President of Italy has declared a 3-day mourning period, which I imagine means that not much is going to be open. The country is shut down.
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This is all a bit amazing. The massive crowd in St. Marks was praying for several minutes and things had gotten very solemn and silent. Quietly at first and then growing stronger they began chanting the Pope's name, as if they were calling him back to his window, which over looks the square.
There is also some speculation that the next Pope will be from Latin America. One Cardinal from S. America suggested that this was going to happen and the delegation from Brazil quickly shot him down publically, saying this wasn't the time for discussion about a sucessor. Looks like this might be a debate on our hands.
He'll be buried in 6-8 days and the new Pope will be chosen in about 15-18 days. I might have to go down to Rome to see all of this.
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(The comment has been removed)
Another option is an African Pope, although this would have all sorts of implications. One of the things that John Paul II was critcized for was his denile of condom use to fight AIDS in Africa, a policy not likely to be supported by an African.
Whoever is the next Pope, I doubt they will be radically diffrent than John Paul II, simply because he appointed all but a handful of the Cardinals serving today. Overall, my money is on a Latin American.
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Kait
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See I was listening during catechism class!
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Thank goodness they still lock the cardinals up 'til they decide...
For a quick read on the process read "The Shoes of the Fisherman". Its a novel but it gives some insight into the politics involved.
Jeff, if you can get up to Rome for the funeral & conclave (& NOT neglect your studies) you should go. Its history in the making..
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The President of Italy has declared a 3-day mourning period, which I imagine means that not much is going to be open. The country is shut down.
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The view of Bob's deck and side of his house pale in comparison.
Anonymous is/was a woman
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