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Possibility of an American Pope, what Catholic women want to hear, and was it a smart move by the church to impose a media blackout?
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Yeah.
Games.
-- debate from the eternal city of Rome Italy it was just a few hours ago.
The cardinals announced that march 12 would be the start of the -- as of the date they will choose the begin a process to change a new -- -- successor to.
A sinking of a 266 of course immediately the successor to -- Benedict the sixteenth.
They wool celebrate the -- LA's Indo pop -- I think Peter's basilica the naval into the Sistine Chapel.
By seniority and once a question they were the gathering they will cast their ballot in a solemn ceremony.
Calling as their -- close twice.
The lord who will be my judge all of that starts on Tuesday and perhaps by the end of the week we will have new hope.
Sitting in the Vatican and talk more about that of -- -- Morris is joining me now he is.
Fox News contributor and a Roman Catholic priest who can't quite get it -- will be inside baseball kind of -- there have been mentioned others a driving rain here in Rome this is the rainy season I guess.
At least the last three days it's been the rainy season every single day taking advantage then you're not -- -- but we'll deal with it.
What is -- say to you this march 12 -- What's gonna happen outside ventures Lauren last week I was here.
I -- with cardinal Dolan and I was here when beat the cardinals met with Pope Benedict the sixteenth the last time.
And that then moving moment at least for them in which they were able to say.
There last words to him knowing that he would really go off into privacy.
Into a life of prayer life and study the life of a month.
Yes yes.
And since then -- -- he -- we were standing right -- here on this platform looking over saint Peter's basilica when the helicopter took off.
And I was here with Amy Kellogg and both of us I think it's fair to say were moved to yes by by the fact that.
And 600 years we have never seen.
88 -- in decent health at least himself said he was not in great health but in and health enough to be able to say.
I have made a decision.
Yeah it's the best thing for the church right now is for me.
To hand over this power to somebody else and this power and responsibility is somebody else and so since then since then since that day.
And we -- -- in going through this process of these.
General congregations.
Cardinals meeting together discussing the problems of the church and the media's been saying what is this conclave going to start.
-- this bit away that they have been able to get to know each other because a 115.
Cardinal electors and and there.
A 115100.
Whenever cardinals actually in the -- -- meetings right that's right in and that's a great point Lauren because.
-- a lot of the media was saying this is all about waiting for the the last cardinals who for some reason aren't.
Showing up.
Waiting for them to show up but it wasn't that was not the main reason the main reason where they were waiting to set a date for the conclave because they had more work to be done yes they need to get to know each other more than need to discuss the real issues.
They need to make sure that they were not going to send it.
And -- to establish some random date.
To start the -- claim if if it was a possibility that at that -- we're not ready but -- now establishes this coming Tuesday there it's possible because the last few.
The last few confidence -- how to cope with about two or three days so it's possible we'll have a new -- by the end of next week is that possible it is possible Lauren I think.
At the same time.
If it the last the last currently 2005.
It took four ballots.
-- okay.
And four ballots for the for the Pope to be elected.
It's quite possible it takes a few more than that.
Okay what do you think there are no clear front runners I keep hearing that among.
The insiders Vatican insiders there's really no clear front runners at least you know earlier in the week.
Yeah is that I think I think it's I think that's fair to say and I've been there for over a weekend have been talking with a lot of those of cardinals and -- -- -- -- this specialized.
Vatican journalist.
And -- and what they say is that -- in 2005.
There was such a a consensus that John Paul second had done -- wonderful.
I'd done wonderful work for the church and their need to be continuity to that.
And when that when the cardinals tackle continuity they're not seeing somebody who looks or acts like this guy John -- -- but rather continuity in his teachings.
Yes and the group and in the person.
That would have been on everybody's lips in those conversations informally here in restaurants and apartments after these kind of allegations would then he.
-- what do you think about.
Joseph Ratzinger that would -- -- the first.
First name and everybody's realizing.
Now it's not like that.
There's no way that they say everybody says what do you think about him but living like him or don't like him wouldn't think you'd be good or not.
Now there's it's more there is there are 1012.
Names out there.
That are really being discussed for the cardinals and there's not a consensus on anyone.
You know the Italian papers they have they were reporting that their team -- people -- -- -- Milan's archbishop Angelo Scola.
And -- that he's back for the Americans and Germans and some Italians of Brazil's Hartnell a deal.
Share who supported by the Roman period which is the bureaucracy that the Vatican government.
This led by the yet a very powerful commenting on the Chamberlain cardinal baton.
How accurate are these reports while they say that the Italian newspapers are more like novels.
-- -- -- -- -- because they think they do it in their fascinating to read yet they have you could imagine measure of everything was like the New York Post.
Unbelievably.
Interesting.
That you can't put it down but you have to you have to -- that you have to read who is who it isn't saying it.
And I would -- Yes it's true that those both of those candidates school and share -- real candidates.
But they're certainly not the only one.
Know what what about other candidates do because one of the -- of when we first knew that that Lebanon -- was -- stepping down was for an African.
Because this church is going in the global south and colonel Peter Turks in said something about that as well let's take a listen.
People unless somebody had a good chance -- venues movie -- and on the body how the -- Then let's say that today -- quite a few people from dead.
Sigh oh -- -- -- -- is so Italian no European.
Though we still -- greedy you know growing number of Africa center for from Asia and Latin America into -- -- Olympia.
So if you want any day in day out to have more process -- tragedy.
We begin to see you know people from -- -- pin on Italian background.
If it exists in this this is good to pull himself.
And then I think I don't think we too far away from -- -- All right so what do you think of these this is his statement that one thing I know is that he has been in hiding.
Ever since he said that the reason being is that.
You know those those are words that.
And can be very much misinterpreted by a global press has some sort of campaign right exactly that does not go over well.
-- done because I know him in the east.
It's as is superficially.
I can see that it wasn't a campaign and his party would there are honest word necessarily be -- what happened after that people.
I without means I really don't know who was sort of putting up signs around -- saying vote for Turks and look at that doesn't -- -- wealth.
At all that happened actually opposite effect it has the opposite effect and maybe smarter than the rest of us and he was trying to make sure he doesn't get voted Pope.
But but my sense is that he's just being very honest I don't see a very strong.
Move towards an African.
And -- -- to Canada at this point before we have before we have the we have break.
That call for card going I keep hearing the name again could this be the year that they like to -- an -- -- hope that would be.
Most likely sparkle to be -- at New York.
You know it never it.
In the history of the -- has -- -- it in American pulled.
And American candidate and there -- more there's more than one right now.
That is actually considered among the international press and the cardinals international.
College of cardinals as a real candidate.
And that is definitely the case now.
Is it probable -- no.
Is it possible definitely.
Which is the fact that they would even have a mom is that his name on the list is saying hello yes -- -- -- senate and -- last week or so I've.
That he must be within every single day and I've been able to watch.
And in great fascinating way to win in which he's responded -- -- -- that -- -- Jonathan -- thank you so much -- going to be here.
All -- will be together will be together yes I thank you very -- thanks and they break right now on a spirited debate with -- with more talk about the conclave and what's expected from.
The cardinals as they choose the successor to saint Peter -- back.
-- -- back to a spirited debate and lime green here from Rome where the -- date has been set for march.
Twelve this coming Tuesday a lot of rich out here from Wendy's he has talking about.
What she would like to see in the next of Jesus personally I hope and expo is not a European that is sort of the -- was the -- -- as -- it means that European.
The -- is going in the global south summit they're calling for a Latin American public African -- Will -- we'll see -- next week.
But it is international women's day in the Vatican was talking about giving you don't need him.
Flowers -- -- wing -- that the original probation anybody yet Vatican that news conference today.
And the role of women in the -- was also discussed the the congregation meeting with the cardinals are doing.
So what what do women want the male dominated -- is -- very interesting question because this great.
He ended the -- -- the Vatican in the Holy See seek a that the -- is vacant.
That -- hear more about what the church proposes joining -- now from Washington DC is Kathryn Lopez is the editor at large for the national review on.
Flying Kevin welcome.
-- -- I think I'm do we fund -- ever to out of room on Saturday I'm hoping to bring you some fun.
I hope so too because it's a it's an -- -- here here with all this that humidity yes.
And what is it wanna talk about though is -- what do women want from the next.
What do they hope for what is.
You know -- -- wouldn't feel about this.
Well it's always a danger of course when we talk about women broadly speaking because.
Women of course all have different view points of view as -- -- any block of people.
But I'm very happened at the Ethics and Public Policy Center has been doing but the only research of its kind of really seriously looking at.
What women think about about faith and and contraception.
And conscience.
And what what are the things she found first of all she found what will not be a surprise to a lot of people there there.
Abysmally low numbers of women here who fully.
Accept the Catholic teaching Catholic teaching on -- on rally.
I'm including women here who go to church thought our our -- -- -- regular basis.
But the fascinating thing about her her her for her -- worker for survey research.
Is that women increasingly.
Women tell her that if -- if they at least profess to be Catholic and go to.
They usually have a pollsters deal -- think you've got to go to confession.
Once a year at least once a year and you go to mouse over at least once every Sunday.
A -- -- blocking people.
A majority of those women even if they did the majority of those women who don't agree with the church fully accept the church teaching on contraception.
Say they want to know more.
On what she found is actually there are a lot of women who go to church.
Maybe once a month or or even -- Sunday we don't necessarily know what it is that the church proposes.
Maybe.
But maybe they have the general consumption that most people have which is that the Catholic Church just says no to anything that might be remotely enjoyable or find no work or or like giving -- On the other than having them -- making -- -- -- that child but of course what the Catholic Church proposes is so much Fuller than Matt.
And as so -- affirming and and and about joy and happiness.
And I think you're you're slowly seeing both the both people are miserable and they want alternatives to what.
What the culture feeds them about about a what what is happiness and what is freedom.
Ed and right.
You know I did a great 48 -- proposal.
David a great point.
Touch and out of it later but you know that we have a couple of raps about polls about what people think -- -- what do you hope the next -- can accomplish.
And the top five responses is bring people back to the church at 12% modernize -- Do something about sex abuse.
Unify the church allow priests to marry and you know.
One of the things that I -- but what's that want to ask you about that is it are the -- being more sort of characterized by a secular culture.
As opposed to the -- not an -- And vandalizing so that sends a message a little bit better.
Yet I think part part of the problem is I had a medical problem and part if you if you go back I graduated from Catholic university and at of America in Washington DC.
And even and being the only college chartered by the US Catholic bishops there were just sensors and that geology department.
And in response to humanity today which -- -- the war and about what the contraception.
That caught a contraceptive pill might do you -- it -- human relationships.
Turned out to be very prophetic but the point is that even people within the church.
All had surrendered to -- and and they had given -- of -- culture in the sexual revolution a bit.
And and even if they didn't surrender they may not necessarily have been teaching clearly in compellingly and lovingly.
About what John Paul the second talked about.
All throughout his pontificate.
That the theology of the body of and how how we are body and soul to gather these are not separate entity -- And we get to have been what as well as -- whole integrated whole.
All of and we help each other along and that's what even the sacraments are about getting us there.
And and so anyhow I think what you find both in the church in a culture is that the longing I think that's what those numbers are I also think.
It's the fact figure -- -- Provide live coverage line that people are interested in and and the Vatican and what's going on and people are desperate to hear gossip from the gone -- And the congregation meeting.
I think it's just -- that people.
Respect the Catholic Church know there's something there that that.
That the church offers the world that's an alternative to to maybe similar to the misery that -- that surrounds.
Saddam and wanna hear more and and -- human young people who work go to church on Sunday as they are really hungry to hear more.
You know on -- -- -- -- and -- well here because what are the issues about the priesthood is about -- of experts is that they.
-- should be.
You know should the next we'll let women become priests and and overwhelming majority of those polled said.
Yes there -- -- 69%.
Against 28% but you know there's a small smattering that it did they don't know it it it doesn't matter that.
So.
Again is this is -- an issue that the truth is that it's made its positions on certain things clearly or.
Does it certainly need to change.
Well I think it's a foundational issue about how to -- I think that.
He didn't you can you can ask people their opinion on things.
But if if the church never fully made its case in the first place there was never fully heard in the first list.
Well that have been the opinions are are not necessarily as a -- does that could be.
And I don't think that's the fault of the people giving their answers in the poll I think that that that the church matter.
And what one thing I find very exciting about this moment.
Is I was over in Rome at the opening of the year of faith mass which coincided with the fiftieth anniversary of the opening the second Vatican.
Council and the senate bid -- a bit for the new event elevation of the bishops were having and the Pope I have the opportunity -- to spend a few moments with the Pope.
He handed me this message to the women of the world it means -- -- handed other messages other people and what was so significant about it.
Is that it was the same exact message the Paul the sixth.
Had delivered to different people.
At the end of Vatican council -- why I think that's important is.
I think it was the Pope acknowledging.
We didn't fully communicate best you didn't fully receive this let's try again where we are now.
And so I think that's fundamentally what that where the church's right now and I think that's what they're discussing in -- and he's congregation meetings and what they're looking for an the next Pope.
Who can most effectively.
We propose these things the world and communicate them.
Thank you very much better hope as editor at -- -- -- national review online thank you so much for being on the show today.
-- -- another a couple of -- your -- McDowell says it would be nice to see him push to XX community political leaders.
-- take communion but vote for anti Catholic causes like abortion.
Right that QB LaMont and a seven I don't think the next Pope will be able to accomplish any much in terms of rights for women.
However as a -- I hope he can.
-- Wendy's I said I personally think that the Pope needs to be open minded with.
How the world is now the Catholics are leaving the church because of the rules of the -- those are some of the shots coming into this -- to make that up thank you so much.
-- anyway back with more.
Osgood they've added this and -- all of the information on the conclave and -- and -- when -- log on foxnews.com slash.
-- -- And then you get all the information about that what's happening here in -- about this successive -- Peter we'll be read that the more spirited but right after this.
Many cardinals are concerned that if there's not enough time spent.
In the general congregations.
There once we get into the -- -- -- it could -- all no one really wants to rush -- -- it can't be rushed.
-- -- don't know it's not going to be rushed because the conflict is set to begin on March 12 but it does say something about the cardinals willing to talk to the media.
Which is something that they have not Wimbledon since about Wednesday there's some of the media blackout.
Because some of the cardinals.
While not sure who but some of the information is being leaked to the Italian press and other members of media.
And so there was sort of instituted NB -- blackout isn't Smart is a Smart move.
-- them not -- talking to this the past few more about this is Mary show went she is the former correspondent for Vatican radio and she's sort of a bad inside every car Vatican -- they feel -- -- we knew that.
So you think about this blackout in -- We don't ever so uses that transparency talk to the media -- -- told the press conference and are willing to talk but yet comments did.
Vatican is very different.
What we had the American cardinals as you said being so transparent -- press briefings every day at the -- after the general congregations as a move towards transparency.
Something that the American church.
Would you agree that we needed in a moment like this especially in the year of -- leaks in all of this so there in their very.
-- intentions they were trying to be as transparent as -- With the -- -- -- impressed that you mentioned.
Then it was all shut down there are -- official media blackout at the moment which was invoked after the 2005 -- so that's still the good news.
But as a general rule live all stop talking.
Without an official media blackout.
Is this is -- gentleman's agreement didn't let me -- -- sorted -- and done here in yeah.
Could tell you not to talk to the press.
But you know and so that's all I have to say just kind of a -- or not so the American cardinals are very respectful again and -- shut -- -- but it's interesting to see that cardinal Dolan is.
The -- couldn't give interviews.
He's still -- Twitter.
And he's still updating his blog so I mean the cardinals are still trying to help us all live this moment together witches.
Great for us in the media and great for the people at home Catholics as well trying to be a part of this event.
Looking for in a new -- because.
This is something that we don't really know what they're focusing on yet because we've not been privy to the actual nuts and bolts of the general congregation meetings.
We get a general overview that a hundred.
Cardinals have spoken so far that they are sort of all kind of maybe considered or maybe -- in there running are planning to campaign at some level but what what do you think you're looking.
Well it's interesting for the first time that I've ever been covering the Vatican in the precincts my father Lombardi the director of the Holy See press office.
We've heard him say twice now what is emerging are the qualities needed in the future contests.
So as they talk about the -- -- -- poverty throughout the world to even scandals rocking the church right now the need for transparency church government the curious and round.
So I think it's all these cardinals get to speak as you mentioned over a hundred half.
They will continue to do so before they headed to conclave what's coming out as somebody needs an administrator that's something that the Vatican will not say out loud but as they say -- what they're talking about that part of the job as several yards out administrator strong one.
Do as the -- -- which of course is about 50% Italian just under 50% attacked.
-- will they elect a non Italian to clean up.
I don't know.
So that's -- we're gonna wait and see you -- -- was living around we're kind of watching the bat but he also is somebody who is a pastor and that's if you talk to any cardinal here this week they will -- you need to first of all doesn't matter where he's from it's not geography -- it's not color is not anything.
Who is the pastor that can lead this church into the to keep leading into -- -- for -- Now let me -- -- -- got a couple chance coming in because it was really interest in and I'm -- little bit maybe.
And this isn't isn't anyone listening OK we think the church needs to evolve and how much do we actually believe in the church.
Didn't -- dolls that's why it is so many people want -- -- to change the rules and embrace modern social.
That's that's kind of what I was trying that without Kathryn Lopez -- spent the Catholic.
Faithful have it seems like they -- more influenced by secular culture then the church itself.
Does and that's part of the new evangelism.
That.
That -- Benedict has started last fall and it is that part of what they're looking for in a new -- Exactly Lauren they just came out today in the press briefings that they were not only talk about the new visualization that's something we've heard every day new nationalization -- But it was how to get lapsed Catholics back into the face and so that's something that weighing very heavily on their minds so when you know very.
If you Catholics -- may be living the fullness of Catholic doctrine in the -- are aware of that and all of that Syria.
So it just how to make the face appealing again so did comments from Catholics watching this and what about change what about this.
You -- it's understandable because not a lot of them are going to church or have been hurt and justly so and so there at the church is looking at a pastoral way to get them back and they're looking for that in new -- as well how well why -- the terms have such a problem communicating its message why is it.
Then.
Turning people off to church because I hear about a -- Even as you mentioned before but with women clergy and all of these things.
At the church hasn't been very vocal -- that in my opinion and I think if she would that the church would explain your position too pricey.
Are you sir Leicester and so I think -- -- the church were to explain her position just.
Here it has this is what we believe in that's in the neck as cardinal Ratzinger he was very keen on doing if we want to sit down the dialogue he had no qualms about this is Catholic doctrine.
Maybe they could be a little bit better about bringing it to the faithful in the -- like no women priests because and this is why little bit more pastoral approach in that area wouldn't hurt.
Yet you know there isn't is there is -- terms -- always talks about that the surge has settled positions on all the things.
Issues and they're not gonna change -- positions.
But how do you communicate that in a sort of -- -- way that makes it more palatable like say oh.
And I had to be eight now I get a bit ahead and you can do that.
Well I think instead of focusing on the know you focus on.
The beauty of the why not so like for example of the church says you're not -- to have.
Sex before marriage -- said it's just -- owner now USA because it is such a beautiful thing because life is so beautiful -- You know the sanctity of marriage -- do you focus on the -- of it.
You know says that a focusing on the need that there were normal rotations that a lot of locations in the Catholic Church anymore increased at a religious life.
It's -- a focusing not promote the beauty of the vocation and maybe the beauty of the teaching and that's a Benedict has try to do so well the beauty -- it will bring him back but people don't want -- You know in the work round match I would knocking on the door and that's very fascinating and it's certainly very exciting to be -- -- -- historical moment in this thing and much Larry is that what you're welcome.
I we're going to be back with Jason -- right at this at this a spirited debate no he's not.
He's not that he's underground -- in Nashville talk with them anyway we'll be right back.
And welcome back to a spirited able we're gonna take a little little -- -- that from Obama head to Nashville because Jason crowd is the Christian music's reigning artist and male vocalist of the year.
Is -- releases new album and he is one of the favorites of the gospel music scene and veggies dressing up Nashville Tennessee to talk about how faith.
Really has inspired and inspire this particular your new album.
Love is stronger welcome -- Saw it led to it's it's.
Well it's great I can't see you.
I can't see what I know you're there.
I am here I can hear you really good.
OK great -- you weren't you know you're just a big name in the Christian music scene and as I say to people you know a lot of people -- north of the Mason Dixon line just don't seem to know you exist that much didn't do you know if you realize that.
The.
We'll always be there's a lot of lot of other places we made.
To be hitting a strong and you know we're we're doing the best -- -- can't.
Before the sort.
-- you grew up.
The crab family singers you really were part of that group of any -- stop all of the crab -- family has so little.
-- up with a solo careers of years I think is that you become the most successful.
But tell me how much faith really played a part of -- growing up years.
I grew up her home course you know my that would administer it.
So I mean you know that's that's -- -- -- we even started.
-- traveling on the road you know we didn't have.
We don't know what our next I was gonna come -- -- just trusted you know in our face and what you know.
What we were singing about and and just stick out in and pray that you know everything would the but what Gelman play Florida than did forty years Liberia we're finally we've got -- figured out what we'll do it -- Then you using little country and you also sing gospel -- a lot of different kinds of musical what have you found sort of the place where you belong just permanently.
You know what I I don't know -- wanna find that place really because -- all different styles of music well we're going you know.
Of course the -- from church music and and also you know so most southern gospel cell phones and but also under our own you know the country's cellphones as in Georgia Dome in the -- -- and -- in that you -- Alabama at all of those.
But also winners here and credence Clearwater and you know some of the some of the great you know we'll see you water -- -- support themselves.
I -- all different styles of music and you know that's general when you've undergone prevent got to orchard or you're you're only a little bit of everything you know and and that's where wanna say I -- -- kind of you know there's kind of a Brandon said about -- -- -- better you know I don't know what the best thing that that's that's kind of what I enjoy.
Tell me -- the new album love is stronger.
What is -- sort of to you in terms of your -- -- Well you know.
I think glove is that you know this kind of the foundation.
You know are afraid you know of course I'm in -- -- Christian and -- in -- grew -- you know in the Christian home.
You know and so -- so I'm very.
You know vocal about that.
But they -- the whole foundation.
The other -- here is.
You know.
Love and I think that in today that you know are situated and so many different.
Large lot of you know.
I was listening to you -- -- you know and you were talking about you know.
A lot of people focus on the nose and you can't you're history can't -- -- any candidates and that's what they think about you know the other person but the truth.
You know it's all about moved the love that Chrysler has for us and love that wish was to have for others and and massacre of their curse at all about even more -- No commandment steady and sure enough to do is love -- -- you know.
And and and I believe that that's that's what we're doing which -- and it certainly I think.
You know and that's that's feminists saying that -- out here you know show and I'm not church person -- you're saying and shrugged to portray that in songs.
We and that's what -- you know are -- phone service -- the world may mean tomorrow.
You're absolutely right -- the love is stronger is released on March 12 by instant right when's it ends it is the same day that the yet.
That the cardinals here will begin the conclave to -- a new Pope.
Not related of course but I went thank you so much Jason grabbed four being on the -- spirited -- and of course I would love to have you back any time.
All you -- there's so good to be with you and I hope you have a wonderful time there and I'll just say you're grossly and thank you so much -- on the -- I I thank you so much.
And that is it for this -- spirited debates from Rome and we will be here throughout the week about the conclave until there is a new vote haven't haven't was poplar.
But I'll leave you now with the new music back in the states found -- -- singing is music video somebody like me.
But I.
OK.
We're a.
Yeah.
You know.
Itself.
Yeah.
Okay.
