Sunday, April 17, 2005

Before the Papal Conclave

The Papal Conclave begins tomorrow morning (US Eastern time) in which a new Pope will be selected by the college of cardinals. There is no reason not to have confidence that the cardinals will be guided by The Holy Spirit in their selection and that the new pope will continue and extend the work of Pope John Paul II the Great.

But in these hours before we begin watching for the color of smoke rising from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel, I find it fun to speculate. Wouldn't it be interesting if Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger of Germany were to be selected and if he were to take the name Pope Pius XIII? Wouldn't it be fun to listen to the indignant squeals of the liberals who have perverted the "Spirit of Vatican II" for their own ends at the thought of the head of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith becoming the Vicar of Christ? And wouldn't it be fun to listen to and read of the outrage of those (mostly) non-Catholics who have libeled the memory of Pope Pius XII the past several years? Would it be a sin to enjoy the spectacle of a thumb in the eye of the enemies of the Church?

Ah well, I am praying for unity as well as for wisdom in the imminent conclave. But I am also praying for loyalty to the future Pope and the Magisterium by church leaders, especially in the United States.

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