Phl hoping for first Pinoy pope

MANILA, Philippines - Filipinos yesterday expressed hope that Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle would become the next pontiff, as media reports included him in the shortlist of 10 “papabili” or candidates likely to succeed Pope Benedict XVI, who is resigning due to health reasons.

In a press conference, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) expressed shock over Benedict’s resignation, and spoke about the country’s desire to have a Filipino pope.

“We Filipinos would like a Filipino to be pope. Any country would be proud of that – that your own cardinal becomes pope. The ordinary people, they would like Tagle to be pope because he is a Filipino,” said Father Francis Lucas, head of the mass media commission of the country’s Roman Catholic bishops.

Malacañang said it is honored with Tagle’s inclusion in the list as a potential pontiff, but said it would still be up to the conclave to elect the next leader of the Catholic Church.

Lucas said Tagle, 55, who was made cardinal last year by the pope, had many favorable qualities for a future leader of the Catholic Church.

“He is humble, he is meek, he is very bright, he is media-savvy, he is simple. He used to ride the bus to appointments,” Lucas told reporters.

CBCP secretary-general Monsignor Joselito Asis said there were many candidates for the next pope from around the world, and raised the prospect of one coming from Asia.

The Vatican has said it expects a new pope to be in place in time for Easter, which falls on March 31 this year, although the decision is ultimately up to the cardinals who will meet in a secret conclave.

While there are no official candidates for the next pope, news agency Reuters came up with a shortlist of 10 papabili (Italian term for potential popes) most frequently mentioned. They are the following:

Joao Braz de Aviz (Brazil, 65) brought fresh air to the Vatican department for religious congregations when he took over in 2011. He supports the preference for the poor in Latin America’s liberation theology, but not the excesses of its advocates. Possible drawbacks include his low profile.

Timothy Dolan (USA, 62) became the voice of US Catholicism after being named archbishop of New York in 2009. His humor and dynamism have impressed the Vatican, where both are often missing. But cardinals are wary of a “superpower pope” and his back-slapping style may be too American for some.

Marc Ouellet (Canada, 68) is effectively the Vatican’s top staff director as head of the Congregation for Bishops. He once said becoming pope “would be a nightmare.” Though well connected within the Curia, the widespread secularism of his native Quebec could work against him.

Gianfranco Ravasi (Italy, 70) has been Vatican culture minister since 2007 and represents the Church to the worlds of art, science, culture and even to atheists. This profile could hurt him if cardinals decide they need an experienced pastor rather than another professor as pope.

Leonardo Sandri (Argentina, 69) is a “transatlantic” figure born in Buenos Aires to Italian parents. He held the third-highest Vatican post as its chief of staff in 2000-2007. But he has no pastoral experience and his job overseeing eastern churches is not a power position in Rome.

Odilo Pedro Scherer (Brazil, 63) ranks as Latin America’s strongest candidate. Archbishop of Sao Paulo, largest diocese in the largest Catholic country, he is conservative in his country but would rank as a moderate elsewhere. The rapid growth of Protestant churches in Brazil could count against him.

Christoph Schoenborn (Austria, 67) is a former student of Pope Benedict with a pastoral touch the pontiff lacks. The Vienna archbishop has ranked as papal material since editing the Church catechism in the 1990s. But some cautious reform stands and strong dissent by some Austrian priests could hurt him.

Angelo Scola (Italy, 71) is archbishop of Milan, a springboard to the papacy, and is many Italians’ bet to win. An expert on bioethics, he also knows Islam as head of a foundation to promote Muslim-Christian understanding. His dense oratory could put off cardinals seeking a charismatic communicator.

Luis Tagle (Philippines, 55) has a charisma often compared to that of the late Pope John Paul. He is also close to Pope Benedict after working with him at the International Theological Commission. While he has many fans, he only became a cardinal in 2012 and conclaves are wary of young candidates.

Peter Turkson (Ghana, 64) is the top African candidate. Head of the Vatican justice and peace bureau, he is spokesman for the Church’s social conscience and backs world financial reform. He showed a video criticizing Muslims at a recent Vatican synod, raising doubts about how he sees Islam.

But the New York Times said most Vatican experts expressed belief that the next pope would be European.

“There’s a very strong likelihood that it will be someone from Europe,” said Rev. Thomas J. Reese, senior fellow at the Woodstock theological Center at Georgetown University.

In Latin America, home to world’s largest Roman Catholic population, hopes that the next pope would come from the region appear faint, experts said.

The predominance of Europeans on the College of Cardinals meant that the odds are stacked against a Latin American pope, although the names of a number of high-ranking churchmen from the region have been bandied out, analysts said.

Still, hope springs eternal for professional violinist Fernando Reyes, who prayed for a Latin American pope.

Vatican spokesman Federico Lombardi said after Feb. 28, Pope Benedict would retire from public view and would not participate in the appointment of his successor. But many wondered whether his presence would have an impact.

“The fact is that he is alive, and it’s obvious that his opinion, his perception will be felt,” said Paolo Rodari, Vatican reporter for the daily Il Foglio.

Tagle’s rare chance

Major Internet news sites focused on whether Filipino Cardinal Tagle may succeed Benedict.

“He has the rare chance, like 116 others, to choose the leader of the world’s 1.2 billion Catholics. And who knows? He himself may become Pope Benedict’s successor,” news portal Rappler said.

Rev. James Bretzke, a professor of moral theology at Boston College, told FoxNews.com that although the Filipino cardinal might be far too young for the position, he is very well respected.

The CBCP said while many Filipinos are using social media to campaign for Tagle, the selection of the next pope would depend heavily on the Holy Spirit.

Asis said lobbying for Tagle via the Internet might only have a minimal effect on the estimated 118 cardinals, who vote for the next head of the Roman Catholic Church.

“This is not like an election wherein we can campaign. What we can do is pray that the next pope would really lead the church, particularly in his call toward new evangelization. A campaign is not necessary because once they enter the conclave, they would have to pray for the right guidance,” he said.

When asked if Tagle could become pope, the CBCP official said it was possible.

Shock and saddened

Tagle, in a statement released yesterday, expressed surprise and sadness over the Holy Father’s resignation, but made no mention of his own prospects for the papacy.

“We know that the Papal ministry is not an easy task. So we thank Pope Benedict XVI... for selflessly guiding the Church these past eight years with his teaching, simplicity and gentleness,” he said.

Known to be close to the pontiff, the cardinal said he was saddened by the news but was filled with admiration for the 85-year-old Pontiff.

He also asked the people to pray for the Pope, who would be dedicating the remaining years of his life to prayer.

He added that prayers should also be offered for the cardinals who would be electing a new pope in the coming conclave. – Delon Porcalla, Pia Lee-Brago, Evelyn Macairan, Jose Rodel Clapano, Paolo Romero, Rudy Santos, Dino Balabo, Ding Cervantes, Eva Visperas,AP