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Author Greg Tobin on what history can tell us about the upcoming decision on a new Pope
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-- in the studio here by Greg Tobin.
Who is all -- all of the good -- great to see you sir.
I thought possible just briefly were you shocked as everybody else seems to -- -- this I was tennis some time has gone on and less and less shocked thinking back over the past several months.
How -- -- Pope Benedict condition has deteriorated it's been visible.
And it seems to make a lot of sense for him to have made this move right now -- so -- the Catholic Church suddenly.
Has to finding new Pope when it clearly didn't expect to for a -- walk happens.
Right now what is happening right now in the Vatican.
Right now there's a lot of scrambling a lot of it is covering one's you know but by the officials there anticipating the 28 when the resignation and -- -- -- February when -- the February.
Then immediately the cardinals of the Catholic Church will begin gathering for the conclave.
-- which is set for now late in March you -- -- -- series of meetings a lot of back room.
Negotiating discussion of what's going to happen and who the candidate that candidate for candidates will be found their -- seven now we just put him up on the -- at seven.
American cardinals among those who will take part in the conclave.
Would.
Do you seen any.
Leanings -- did I mean it's it's a very early obviously but do you see any leanings.
And then going one way or another way to -- -- looting executive vice president it is set.
You know there's what there's one option.
Which is to go within Italian perhaps the safer option.
That's -- another major eruption may be to look at the Third World which is -- the Catholic Church wants to grow so much what wedding where do you think we might lean.
Come on I would I see -- leaning -- -- the church leaning rather.
In terms of the Third World because that is where the growth is that's where the future is in many many respects and there are some candidates.
In Latin America Africa Asia.
Who are very credible if not super qualified to be quote any any names that you would pick out of a -- -- yes the one name that has been that I've been aware for quite awhile -- Turks and cardinal Turks and of Ghana.
Who has pastoral experience as a residential archbishop.
And he has inside Vatican experience he's just about the right age in his middle sixties and and probably the cardinals will be looking for someone not elderly.
Like Pope Benedict was nor too young quote -- quote.
As John Paul the second was of age 57 so someone who's in the 65 to seven the year range is is likely -- I think they'll what -- the.
Fresh out on the next Pope.
Knowing that he has a living hope we're talking with the it would get to John and that this is well.
Did does that make a difference what do you think is -- one of our other guest said professor down at Vanderbilt.
Said he thinks that Pope Benedict will be very gracious and will not even dream all -- interfering or applying any.
So the pressure I think the latter is the case it's almost -- precedent for the precedent for there to be retired -- it hasn't happened and you know many centuries now.
But who Benedict is is evidenced by his active resignation and it's one of great humility encourage.
He will and he knows what he needs to do I think he'll sort of be in the background until there's so this -- and now that the couples will gather as he said.
-- in Rome.
And the Vatican do we do you think that this will be a quick process 2005 I can't remember how many days -- -- today that might one day was very quick -- -- you think will lead that quickly this will will go on a little longer.
I think because there is some time to prepare well over a month.
To prepare and for the the positioning if you will of candidates to take place.
It may be a relatively quick conclave two to three days maximum all right okay Greg -- also all of the good -- -- thank you very much for your input will forty talking to you when it happens already it'll be a fascinating time thank you very much Greg -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
