by Anura Guruge
on May 5, 2022
IF a conclave were to take place in the next 12 months (as could very well happen), India’s esteemed cardinal, ‘Oswald Gracias‘, stands a very good chance of emerging as the Next Pope!
Wow!
NO, he would NOT be the first non-white pope! There have been non-white popes, but NOT in the last 1,200 years (or so)! So, it would be quite the thing, but we will not be able to claim that he was the first.
Yes, I know that I have been adamant, as you can see from the 2nd image, that the Next Pope (after Francis) will NOT be another exotic. Francis was exotic enough. But, in the case of Gracias I have to make an exception, in the same way I have always made an exception for Canada’s esteemed Marc Ouellet.
In the scheme of things, vis-a-vis the Vatican, Oswald Gracias is not that much of an exotic. He is a fairly well known & seasoned entity — much, much more than Francis ever was prior to his election.
Gracias is not a rabid conservative. Neither is he a raving liberal. He is about as moderate as you can expect a current cardinal to be. He has earned a reputation of being able to weigh both sides of an argument.
He has respect & is of the right age.
Gracias is the ONLY non-white cardinal that stands a chance. The Next Pope will NOT be black. Mark my word. The Next Pope will also NOT be American (as in U.S.) or under 72 years of age.
I have given this some considerable thought. I will no restate my credentials as to my background & expertise when it comes to Next Pope considerations. I don’t pontificate lightly.
My two most recent ‘Next Pope‘ related books
— widely available in print & eBook forms.
My seminal 2011 ‘Next Pope‘ book that
CORRECTLY identified ‘Francis’ as a papabili.
Indians are starting to rule the roost across the world. Google, Microsoft, IBM, Twitter … now all have Indian heads. Gracias would appeal to the EVER GROWING Asian, African & Ocenia faction of the electors. Interesting remark about Ouellet. Not sure what to make of that! Positive changes? I guess that depends on where you stand. Interesting.
Fascinating! Thank YOU. Very interesting. Thank you. So, you see Ouellet as a conservative. I guess he is. Very interesting. I appreciate your perspective. It gives me more insight. THANK YOU. Please share MORE of your thoughts. You know a LOT about the Church. Thank you. PAX.
I don’t know much about Gracias, but I believe he would be an interesting, and surprising choice. But then again I felt the same way about Arinze in 2005 and Sarah in 2013.
That said, I still think the likelihood of a non-European, especially after the Francis papacy, is very low. Since most of the electors won’t know the other cardinals, especially those from the peripheral sees, I think they’ll play it safe and elect a curialist.
And while Ouellet is certainly qualified and knows his way around Rome for sure, I still think any Canadian will be penalized for being “too close to America” by the cardinals.
I really appreciate (& enjoy) your comments. You really are an astute & diligent Vaticanologist. Bravo. I learn a LOT from YOU. Thank you. I am grateful.
There was a LOT here. I am intrigued that you don’t factor in the likes of: Filoni (too close to Francis), Betori, Semeraro etc. Comastri, alas, is getting up there.
Shame about Schönborn. I have a soft spot for him.
I have considered Erdo — but maybe a tad too young.
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Where do YOU stand on a U.S. candidate. For me to say that it could be a possibility was a BIG step.
But, as you are noting pickings are getting slim — UNLESS you go with a YOUNG pope (& I don’t think the cardinals are ready for a 25+ year papacy — & capitulations (are in theory) illegal (i.e., a pledge that he would resign after x-years).
So, please SHARE more.
Your knowledge is invaluable. Thank you.
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P.S., Did you see this post. Your comments will be very useful given that we have no established that you know UDG (in the original Latin) much better than I had realized. SMILE. [I fall into the trap of thinking that I am the only one outside the Vatican who has read UDG, in its entirety, more than 30 times!]
https://www.guruge.com/pope-francis-would-undermine-the-church-if-he-changes-the-electoral-majority-for-the-next-pope/
Thank you. PAX.