Is an American pope a possibility?

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You -- Ramallah because there is growing interest.

And discussion in the Italian newspapers lately that there is a possibility.

Of an American successor to Pope Benedict the sixteenth.

He will begin his last week as leader of the Catholic Church.

The US will have an unprecedented voice actually in the election of a new Pope because the US is sending eleven cardinals.

As electors to the -- a conclave and they must -- the -- of the age of eighty to be voting.

That makes -- second only to the its high end contingent so -- the second largest group of electors are coming from America which is unprecedented.

I am joined now by product rank among the national -- for life out of morning good to have you -- us today.

Martha good to see you again -- think about that I mean they you know that archbishop Dolan cardinal Dolan pardon me comes up.

Frequently as -- cardinal O'Malley new.

Article -- written about him the other day pointing to him from Boston as well as a possibility.

How likely do you think that -- Well you know anything's possible I think it's it's considered more likely than it has been in the past.

But of course said between now and the election they're going to be a lot of speculation UC -- various lists being generated a possible names.

And who's on those lists depends on.

What perspective one is taking as to what's an important consideration.

You have a 117 cardinals voting I guess that means -- -- to be at least 200 different perspectives of what is important what should we consider most.

An interesting thing about papal elections of course is that there are no nominees there are no primaries.

It it's just as likely that there would be someone who didn't appear on.

Any of the lists at all.

But it is a very interest thing.

Thing to see as you just mentioned how these some of these American names are coming up and as -- say anything's possible.

Yes you know you you touched on it and and that is the question is what is the most important thing.

That the conclave believes we need to have in the next Pope.

And I know that you know the rising trend of secularism in the world is a great concern to the Catholic church and that may be something that's focused -- There's also -- that this issue that is a sleeper and and perhaps should not be and that's persecution.

Against Christians all around the world the sort of global plight of christianity.

I read recently that a 100000.

Christians.

Have been killed every year in the name of the -- For the last ten years I think that is that is sort of bad and I'm reported underreported story.

It's a major issue and -- we have to keep in mind is that the cardinals come together.

We had the good of the church as their primary consideration.

-- the good of the church as they see it as they know it as as pastors themselves.

And -- many of them working of course here in Rome.

They know a lot of things that don't necessarily get into public circulation but that will weigh heavily in their own minds and hearts so we may see some of these issues that are.

Frankly under reported on.

And that you just alluded to.

As as being very heavy on the minds of these cardinals as as priorities.

I would say that all all of our our viewers who are believers that the most important thing to do between now and the actual Election Day is to pray.

For God's guidance on these cardinals.

And we have priests for life and started such a a worldwide prayer campaign and it's one of the most important things I think that people will do.

As well as you know speculating and looking at what the key signs might be about who will be.

Now it's going to be interesting discussion over the weeks to come bought it from -- Always a pleasure to speak with you thank you very much --

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Is an American pope a possibility?

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