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Professor Bruce Morrill on what issues the papal conclave will look at when choosing their next leader
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-- -- -- Bruce -- who is professor of theological studies at Vanderbilt University professor thank you very much for being with us today.
It's my pleasure it's an honor for us to bully your -- so will you as surprised as everybody else seemed to me about this resignation.
Well I was pleasantly surprised in this way as I woke up this morning listening to NPR and and picked up midstream.
That there's something was happening I.
Must say my first spots went to had a -- -- passed away.
Then when I heard it was a resignation.
Actually.
It didn't surprise me and it certainly was a cause for me to admire him.
And added to dig how much.
What -- what does this do.
To the Catholic Church in your view is this something that ruffles a that that strengthens it that weakens it what does it do as a result.
Ruffles and strengthens.
Those of the verbs I would go -- -- pick up from you.
As you folks have been mentioning it spend sense.
Fifteenth century.
That a Pope resign and of course that had to do with a political problem of multiple assignments to the throne.
-- occupants.
This is important because we live.
As.
The holy father is from south we -- many years we we approach H nine.
And a world in which people die in office.
In their seventies has passed away I'm old enough to remember.
Pope Paul the sixth and a decline.
In the 1970s.
And that was a slow decline itself and of course Pope John Paul the second.
A very long one as well so I think it's really helpful at this point to recognize and the church that the holy father's leading us I think.
To move ahead and recognizing that the bishop of Rome is the bishop of Rome.
You and it is his office he is a human person is not could turn earnest with the office.
He's really leaving the church.
Into the 21 century in this case I think in a way that's very helpful and -- and what.
Do you as you look across the the landscape net.
Do you see a natural successor as in many ways he seemed to be.
The natural success.
To Pope John Paul the second is that somebody who immediately comes to mind for -- -- Actually there isn't and I must confess I'm not quiet of Vatican watcher.
Perhaps as many as as as perhaps some other people are.
But I would say that the really interesting thing as they start to -- -- -- CEOs and finally there conclave.
Will be whether or not the college of cardinals wants to make that moved to somebody from.
Other Southern Hemisphere.
Vs Europe -- would be a conservative move to.
As some people are saying perhaps just turn -- to the Italians seem.
Cardinal Ratzinger becoming Pope Benedict.
Yeah that was not a surprise -- surprise me down.
Was that cardinal martini.
Milan had actually had a shot very good got a lot of votes in the first round -- far more progressive pro it.
So I'm afraid I'm not very much help to you here.
Other than to say.
Should be a fun ride rough.
It is certainly should be very interesting to what professor just before you go.
Do you think this sets a precedent now and an important one.
In -- we have always seen up hopes.
As John Moody was just saying to us serving until that last breath does this open the doors.
For future -- to say.
Now I don't have to go on until the very end if I feel I'm not up to it I can step aside.
I think that's absolutely obvious or clear in this.
And myself I have every expectation.
That Pope Benedict will very graciously step out of the way.
Unlike other commentators speculating I cannot imagine that in any way.
He'd be sticking his nose into affairs I think he's a genuine man who would want to move into retirement continue to read and write.
And like any bishop retiring from a major C.
Simply.
Step out of the way and I think they'll be a very gracious.
Gift to the church.
As mantra like I say different era when when people are gonna live -- are living way into their ninety's -- OK -- thank you very much professor Bruce Murrow professor of theological studies.
At Vanderbilt University a pleasure to have you with us today -- thank you.
Pleasure for me to.
