Any thoughts on the papabili?

[ForGrandFenwick]

Rooting for anyone in particular?

[Octavious]

Not really, to be honest. A younger Pope so we don't have to go through this process every couple of years would be nice. What's the point of being a dictatorship if you end up having elections more often than a bloody democracy?

[ForGrandFenwick]

What's the point of being a dictatorship if you end up having elections more often than a bloody democracy?

Historically an older candidate has been preferred, especially in fractious times, to prevent infighting. By giving the expectation of a new election relatively soon, it allows divisive questions to be delayed. This is particularly important with the high threshold as a cardinal can be less likely to vote for someone they have reservations about if they fear that person may be in charge for decades.

[Octavious]

Pick someone who will soon be shuffling off this mortal coil because if he turns out to be a complete duffer it doesn't matter that much? That's an interesting take, but I can't say there's not a certain logic there

[Jamiet99uk]

I don't know who any of the candidates are but the last guy was OK as it goes, apart from claiming to be the representative of a nonexistent magic sky wizard.

[Octavious]

That and the child abuse scandal...

[ForGrandFenwick]

I don't know who any of the candidates are

As far as the listed options in the poll go:

Tagle - Liberal wing, from the Philippines, known for outreach and popular in his home country.

Pizzaballa - Centrist, Italian but patriarch of Jerusalem, known for calling for peace in the Israel/Palestine conflict and offering himself in exchange for hostages.

Erdo - Conservative wing, Hungarian, skeptical of migration and a vocal opponent of some of Francis's policies

Burke - Conservative wing, American, probably the most conservative option, highly vocal opponent of Francis to the point where he was basically stripped of some of his duties.

Parolin - Centrist, Italian, secretary of State for Francis, most senior ranked cardinal in the conclave.

Turkson - Conservative, from Ghana, relatively mild conservative from sub-Saharan Africa. May be acceptable compromise candidate.

Zuppi - Liberal, Italian, Probably the most liberal option, thought by some conservatives to be something of a shadow-pope during Francis's papacy, championing his most liberal policies.

Grech - Centrist, Maltese, not too associated with either wing. A more neutral candidate that may be able to attract support from a broad section of the conclave.

Other - Anyone else.

[Jamiet99uk]

That and the child abuse scandal...

Frankly that's maybe a reason to abolish the Catholic church rather than scold the most recent Pope. Of recent popes, John Paul II was much more culpable, I think. But let's be honest - the Catholic church has been abusing young people on an industrial scale for centuries.

[Octavious]

But scolding a Pope has the advantage of being doable whereas abolishing someone else's belief system is not. To the last Pope's credit I don't consider him a bad man nor, by any stretch of the imagination, the worst Pope regarding the issue. But he was very much out of his depth and lacked the required tools to act as he should have done, and by doing so great harm was perpetuated.

[Jamiet99uk]

But scolding a Pope has the advantage of being doable whereas abolishing someone else's belief system is not. To the last Pope's credit I don't consider him a bad man nor, by any stretch of the imagination, the worst Pope regarding the issue. But he was very much out of his depth and lacked the required tools to act as he should have done, and by doing so great harm was perpetuated.

So you'd have a strong preference for a Pope who prioritised jailing and excommunicating as many child-molesting priests as possible, I take it.

Which candidate is that?

[Octavious]

Haven't the foggiest idea. Truth be told I've never heard of any of them. Nor am I particularly interested in finding out, as everyone one of them not chosen as dictator for life of the Vatican will be instantly forgotten.

I'm quite content for them to have their smoking ceremony and day of checking up his skirt to make sure he's really a bloke, give him his holy ring and his little hat of state, and then I'll see what sort of man he's meant to be

[Esquire Bertissimmo]

There's a betting market for who will be the next pope:

https://polymarket.com/event/who-will-be-the-next-pope

By ForGrandFenwick's assessment, it looks like the more liberal candidates are ascendent, with the exception of Turkson.

[Octavious]

Well, as apparently 80% of the electorate were personally appointed by the previous dictator you'd imagine that next dictator is likely to be from the same mould. Not necessarily true, but I'd be surprised if it turned out not to be the case

[Jamiet99uk]

Why don't they just ask God to pick?

[MajorMitchell]

Our Beloved Dipbro Brainbomb is alas considered by too many Cardinals to be almost a Heretic & unsuitable as the next Pope.

It is known by the Cardinals that as Dusty Balzac I defended Pope Formosus and dealt most effectively with Naughty Pope Steven 6th in our prison cell

I have to wait for a more propitious Papal Conclave to make my run at being Pontiff

In order to gain political advantages at a later papal vacancy & Conclsve of Cardinals those Cardinals whom I can persuade with Clerical Blackmailing or BriberyI have given the freedom to vote for the highest bidders* in this election

*MBS the Saudi with the wealth and Mossad are these days usually the most influential forces in my opinion at this election for a new Pontiff so I havevto sit this one out Chaps

It would be unethical of me to.hint at the favourite candidate

[kingofthepirates]

Pizzaballa has the funniest name. I hope he wins.