I have spent the weekend trying to figure out about which names echoing out at St. Peter’s would make me happy (like I was in 2005) and which would worry me. In 2005, I had a clear favorite and he became Pope. This time around, things are much murkier. The names that would make me most happy, like Burke, seem like long shots.
So I thought I would turn to you. Which Cardinals do you like for Pope and why? What are their chances? Which candidates are you most worried about and why? And What are their chances?
I am truly interested. I will copy some of the more interesting and well thought out commentary into the body of this post.
So let’s hear it!
Update
It seems the consensus here would like to hear this:
Annuntio vobis gaudium magnum:
Habemus Papam!
Eminentissimum ac reverendissimum Dominum,
Dominum Reimundus Sanctæ Romanæ Ecclesiæ Cardinalem Burke,
Qui sibi nomen imposuit Pius XIII.
March 10, 2013 at 8:53 pm
I wouldn't count Cardinal Burke out just yet. The Holy Spirit is known to work miracles!
March 10, 2013 at 8:56 pm
Burke, for all the obvious reasons, but also 1 not so saintly reason as well, to see the huge case of apoplexy it would give the pro-abort, pro-gay-marriage, pro-women's ordination gang as well as the main stream media.
March 10, 2013 at 9:03 pm
James Cardinal Stafford: resisted the Bernardin machine in the US; turned around the Vatican's financial offices (no small feat that proves his ability to work the Curia); accurate criticism of Obama all the way back to 2008; a good and holy man.
Chances: about one in a million. He's 80 and not an elector, he's American, and despite the bold move of electing Karol Wojtyla, I doubt the college will want to poke the US government in the eye.
March 10, 2013 at 9:14 pm
Burke for the reasons Taylor Marshall listed and because he has kept his mouth shut since the sede vacante period started. I think that the US media conferences were actually good, but in light of the Italian leaks, his decision seems to be the better one.
Hey, the media picks are almost always wrong, and this has been true since Sarto was elected as Pius X. Burke is papabile to Italians, which says a lot, in my view. He ran a diocese caught between those striving for holiness and troublemakers incredibly well, and he has also been in the Curia on two occasions. He knows 4 languages, plus has a command of Latin.
March 10, 2013 at 9:23 pm
Burke, straight talk defending the Church from the modernists that reside in place like Natoinal Catholic Reporter or in a bus (nuns on th bus).
March 10, 2013 at 9:41 pm
I've begun to hope so much for Burke I almost expect to see him on the loggia.
March 10, 2013 at 10:05 pm
I adopted Raymond Leo Cardinal Burke so I try and include him in daily prayer and he would be an EXCELLENT Pontiff. NOW apologies to all NYers here but nothing good comes from NY except Timothy Cardinal Dolan 🙂 and he is my original choice. (I know Pontiff picking now comes complete with trash talking)
March 10, 2013 at 10:22 pm
First choice: Burke, he's the only one that would make me leap for joy as I did when Benedict was elected. After him Canizares Llovera, Scola, Ouellette all look at least reasonably good. Definitely don't want Schonborn, no matter how impressed Raymond Arroyo is with him. I don't want any of the other Americans, especially not O'Malley (the Kennedy funeral demonstrated his willingness to play the same politically correct game as Law and Cushing before him) or Wuerhl. Other than Scola or Ouellete, I seem to be mostly interested in people whom everyone seems to deem long shots.
March 10, 2013 at 10:39 pm
For obvious reasons, Burke. Also I'd love to see the legions of heterodox catholics and the media go absolutely batty and totally flip out. It would be a huge payback for the past 40+ years.
After Burke, there is Oulette, Llovera and Bagnusco. I think they have a shot. I wouldn't mind Pell although I think he'd be a long shot.
In my heart of hearts I'd say make Bishop Bruskewitz a cardinal and then elect him.
March 10, 2013 at 10:42 pm
Anyone who would be a.good poke in the eye to the Obama administration. I feel like I was given so much joy the last time that I shouldn't be picky.
March 10, 2013 at 10:46 pm
1. Benedict XVI
…………………
2. Raymond Card. Burke (The John Wayne solution)
3. Mauro Card. Piacenza (I adopted him, decided to adopt another, and got him again! He is very holy)
March 10, 2013 at 11:03 pm
Burke, than Ranjith! NO DOLAN OR SCHONBORN!
March 10, 2013 at 11:17 pm
Puljic from Bosnia.
March 10, 2013 at 11:20 pm
I'll go with Benedict xvi as my top and only pick.
March 11, 2013 at 12:22 am
In today's OT reading (cycle A), the Spirit chose the youngest of Jesse's sons. If the Spirit should be nudging the electors in the direction of a youngster, I hope the choice falls on Cardinal Erdo, rather than Cardinals Tagle or Dolan. Among the Italians, my choice would be either Scola or Bagnasco, with perhaps a slight edge to Bagnasco. Among the curial Cardinals, Burke of course. Among the Latin Americans, Cardinal Cipriani Thorne, rather than Scherer. Among the North Americans, Cardinal Ouellet rather than O'Malley. Among the Africans, Cardinal Napier rather than Turkson. Among the non-Italian Europeans, Cardinal Erdo again. Ranked in order of preference, then, Cardinal Erdo first, followed by Ouellet, Bagnasco, Scola and Cipriani Thorne.
Since I don't have extensive knowledge on any of the men, I am basing my choice on what I have learned from reading such curricula vitae of theirs as have been published by Catholic writers about whom I have enough knowledge to make adjustments for personal bias.
March 11, 2013 at 12:22 am
I'm with the rest of the crowd and would like to see Burke. I am not thrilled about the idea of Dolan, though I do think he is a good guy, just not pope material. Ranjith also appears to be a solid choice, though I know less about him.
Unfortunately, I don't think Burke has a shot, not even a long shot. I doubt half of the US Cardinals would even vote for him, particularly Wuerhl considering their past.
March 11, 2013 at 12:33 am
Burke or Bagnasco.
Cuz the church needs a good kick in the a**.
March 11, 2013 at 1:28 am
Burke or Ouelette.
March 11, 2013 at 1:57 am
Tagle the Filipino. Cheerful and holy and not American or Italian. He's got the languages and he's smart and solid.
March 11, 2013 at 2:10 am
Burke. Who else is better to stop the culture of death than an American, who is from the primary exporter of that culture? He also has enough Rome experience to be comfortable there working with the curia.
Not to mention he's a ROCK, liturgically speaking.