Cardinal Fiorenzo Angelini, 88
Apr 14, 2005
Cardinal Fiorenzo Angelini, 88 - so, not one of the voters because over 80 - told a Roman newspaper that he does not see "the possibility" of an Italian Pope.
(Inside the Vatican April 6 2005) Cardinal Francis Arinze, in Nigeria, seemed to take his own candidacy off the charts by saying that the Western world is "not ready" for "an African Pope."
This occurred just as a Spanish newspaper, La Razon of Madrid, published an article in which a priest argued that the American CIA was attempting to use the world's media to influence the election precisely of Arinze, in order to avoid the election of a strong European Pope.
A priest sketched for me a scenario in which, with no Italian candidate (per Angelini) and no African (per Arinze) the choice would fall naturally on... Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger. But, Ratzinger is opposed by a considerable, but minority, group of cardinals, this theorist said.
These opponents will become so concerned that they may even foment protests and demonstrations, then, as an ultimate weapon, threaten... schism. "Ratzinger will be elected, but, fearing he will split the Church, he will step aside when the left threatens schism. The moment of the battle has not yet come. It will come after the reading of the Testament."
Cardinal Fiorenzo Angelini, 88