How do we know who's a papal contender?
John Allen in Rome: By now, we've all heard of several men who could become pope. But how did we arrive at that conclusion?
Rome
Papabili who just missed the cut
Now that my "Papabile of the Day" series is over, several readers have asked if there were cardinals who just missed the cut, meaning contenders I would have liked to profile if time had permitted, even if I regard them as long shots.
At one level, I'm tempted to say I would have liked to profile all 115 electors, so no matter what happens I can't possibly be wrong!
Seriously, however, there are a few plausible candidates I would have liked to get into the mix had not the clock run out.
Day before papal vote, talk shifts to ritual
Rome dispatch: Today, the cardinals focused on the rituals involved with conclave, including what the smoke announcing the new pope's election will look like.
Final days of Benedict full of unclear calls for change
As a few night owls strolled through the crisp Roman evening Feb. 28, they were illuminated by one less reflection of lights. Behind the northern side of the square’s iconic colonnades, the apostolic palace was dark.
In a small but tell-tale sign of the transition facing the church, the lights of the pope’s apartment had been turned off.
French cardinal says race still wide open
Journalists are often derided as a fairly un-churched bunch, but yesterday the 5,000-plus reporters covering the conclave swelled the churches of Rome to catch a glimpse of cardinals saying Mass, hoping to pick up some hint of what to expect when things get underway tomorrow.
On that front, probably the most interesting insight came from Cardinal Philippe Barbarin of Lyon, France.
A boost for Ravasi in CDF verdict on book?
In the overheated atmosphere of the pre-conclave period, and in the absence of polling data or any other empirical sign of which way things are trending, absolutely everything is scrutinized as a possible hint of who the next pope might be.
If an overseas cardinal says Mass in Italian, it’s taken as a sign that he’s trying to prove he could be Bishop of Rome; if two cardinals are seen together drinking coffee, it can spark a volcano of speculation about possible coalitions.
Papabile of the Day: The Men Who Could Be Pope
Papabile of the day: There's an Asian possibility who hasn't yet received much attention: Cardinal Oswald Gracias of Bombay (Mumbai) in India.
Photos from inside the papal vote
Rome dispatch: Photos from inside the specially renovated Sistine Chapel, where the church's cardinals will select the new pope.
Papabile of the Day: The Men Who Could Be Pope
Papabile of the day: There is a discernible buzz growing around Cardinal Francisco Robles Ortega of Guadalajara, Mexico.
Vote for new pope set for Tuesday, no clear consensus
Rome: Voting for the new pope will begin Tuesday, the Vatican has announced. No clear consensus has emerged among the church's cardinals for the new pontiff.
Pages
Blogs and Columns
NCR Email Alerts
Sign up to get NCR updates by email. Existing users: change your preferences here. Enter your email address in the box below and click “Go.”
In This Issue
May 24-June 6, 2013
- The paradox of Pope Francis
- Editorial: Questions linger after dynamic sisters' meeting
- [Coming Soon] Name your treasure and pass it on
- [Print Edition Only] Special Section: Family Life
Not all of our content is online. Subscribe to receive all the news and features you won't find anywhere else.