America's role in electing the next pope

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It is that you sanctuary.

I mean everything he's involved and -- believe -- -- needs to be more margin.

I listened to people.

-- -- and we -- -- dead it's bill did the next step wolf night Kevin it's just development that believe they have so much to do in this war it.

-- be so electrifying so.

Just imagine that today all a 115.

Cardinals that are there.

They -- celebrated mass in front of the different churches and girl all of them.

How awesome -- -- Lessons that a lot of reaction now on the street says some Catholic worshippers here in the United States look forward to seeing the next leader of the Catholic Church will be.

It's just part of the growing.

And they will begin the secret papal election process in Vatican City.

Where the world's cardinals and gather there all they are now a 115 will be voting in this closed door conclave so.

What can we expect Greg Burke.

The Vatican communications director and a former Fox News correspondent Greg good good to have you with us today welcome.

Martha thanks good to be back.

He knows so much speculation.

Over you know what the church is really looking for.

I'm curious what you think about this large.

Eleven member.

American contingent of cardinals and what kind of impact they may have on whether or not this vote goes goes quickly.

Our weather takes awhile -- Yeah well it's been interesting the amount of interest.

In the American contingent you know up until now at least eight years ago.

They always thought -- the Americans as very much outsiders and certainly they still are outsiders in terms of being elected.

But what you can see is that they do carry some weight.

And that's because I think they reflect the church in the United States which for all the difficulties -- has it it has had.

Certainly displays a lot of energy.

And -- really wealthy church not wealthy in this sense of money but wealthy in this sense of -- what it is done a rich church in terms of what it is done in the country and some very interesting figures such as cardinal Dolan very funny one obviously.

And then also our cardinal O'Malley as well Boston has generated a lot of interest but overall the Americans.

Do have an influence here and you can tell just in the Italian media picking them up that.

-- they'd like that spirit they like that sort of open American spirit now and whether they can make it a short conclave -- nothing nothing sure there.

-- -- data definitely not you know and when you look at what what appears to be what.

The cardinals are looking for in a new leader.

It requires that kind of American spirit that you're talking about in terms of the precarious nest and the ability to sort of reach a lot of people.

But but -- -- the thinking has always Ben and that because America is such a super power.

That it would be seen as sort of too much to also have let that percent from our country be the leader of the Catholic Church.

-- and I think that's still look the legitimate feeling right now that most people probably feel that way.

However it's it would be less of an exception right now I believe that thought up -- now has always been you can't have an American running the United Nations because of the superpower status.

Here it's changed a little bit the US is not the same superpower it was before.

And plus what I was saying this positive nature.

Of the church in the US that it really has been a very positive effect.

In 44 others you know watching how these cardinals act how they have acted.

In the past couple weeks here it's been very positive off for the most part some people think they are a little bit -- American.

But you know that's life -- it is an exciting time for Catholics all over the content all over the world -- to tell you the truth we see this is really a time.

Of great joy of great hope.

-- think about you know sort of the reaction they're so much negativity.

In this country about this process so much skepticism and you know just -- we've all watched closely what the Catholic Church has been entered in recent years and it doesn't mean in any way to turn a blind guy.

To the very real issues and the very real downfall.

Some aspects of the Catholic Church but it's just -- it it it has been the driving to -- in a way that is not really recognized -- and I wonder what the Vatican.

Feels can be done about that.

That's it that's part of my job -- left what do we we have to work on that report card on it but.

I just like all politics is local I think in the end all churches local two and people may be.

Talking with seeing this process a lot is in the political process one thing or another but for.

The great majority Catholics across the globe.

They love the church because they see the church what it's doing in their home parish -- -- and how -- schools and so many generous people.

By taking care of them spiritually and taking care -- hospitals.

And indeed the great role in education in terms of here of things here in Rome I think also here.

Obviously it's often turned into sort of a political horse race but people know in their hearts they know what the churches and the fact of the matter even the negative things written.

It shows one thing it shows that the Catholic Church still very much matters.

-- you know I'm curious say it there's been talk that they almost need to have two people filling these roles that you need that outreach person that Pope John Paul the second.

You know sort of superstar.

Embracing Catholic figure.

And then you also need somebody to sort of shake things up at the Vatican to to make sure that we don't have the kind of that it leaks in -- all of these issues that that need to be dealt with.

You know it is there's sort of any.

-- way to have kind of -- ticket in had to have somebody who you know would be in charge of running the -- area.

And then that more public face it and that in the Pope.

You know what you're actually not supposed to make deals you know in terms of tickets and in the rule book it actually says any -- any promises made -- void.

Once the election takes place however I think people can get an idea.

From different bishops archbishops cardinals how they function around the world.

You know how they are in what you're saying get the message out that it's a key part of it spreading the message of Jesus Christ is.

Really.

But then also how good they are perhaps not as managers themselves but in choosing their personnel and the cardinals will certainly be looking at both those aspects when they do vote.

Really can't smoke signals probably.

This time tomorrow Greg thank you we look -- and hope we get to the video again as a pass business for this way thank you thanks --

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America's role in electing the next pope

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