April 2, 2005

DEEP IN THE HEART OF CHINA?:

Pope has never revealed name of mystery cardinal (KESQ, 4/02/05)

For the moment, 117 cardinals are eligible to vote in a conclave to elect Pope John Paul's successor, but the number could actually be 118.
When John Paul created new cardinals in 2003, he said he was keeping one name secret, or "in pectore" -- meaning "in the heart." The name remains secret until the pope announces it or leaves instructions for that to be done.

The formula has been used when a pope wants to name a cardinal in a country where the church is oppressed. That's leading to speculation it could be a prelate from China, where only a state-sanctioned church is recognized.


Make him pope and give the PRC a real shove.

Posted by Orrin Judd at April 2, 2005 11:02 PM
Comments

Someone today mentioned on Fox or CNN that any secret Cardinals would be ineligible to vote in the election -- tho of course not to be elected pope.

Posted by: Jim in Chicago at April 2, 2005 11:20 PM

True. The only prerequisite to being pope is that you be a priest--though they haven't elected a non-cardinal in a few centuries.

You gotta admit, a Chinese pope would be something wild. Remember what the election of a Polish pope meant for the Soviet empire.

Posted by: Mike Morley at April 2, 2005 11:51 PM

Yes, but Poland was full of Catholics. The most effective pope would be an African.

Posted by: Randall Voth at April 3, 2005 1:59 AM

Mike:

I've read recently that any baptized Catholic male in good standing with the Church is technically eligible to be elected Pope.

Posted by: Rick T. at April 3, 2005 11:23 AM

Mike and Rick T., you both correct, as one would need to be a baptized Catholic in good standing with the Church AND elegible for the priesthood in order to become pope, for the pope must be an ordained priest. A Catholic layman would need to be ordained to the priesthood upon his election and prior to his installation/coronation/investature (forget what the correct term is now-days)as pope. This hasn't happened in over a millenium, however.

Posted by: Dave W. at April 3, 2005 3:58 PM
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