Rome, Italy, Feb 10, 2005 / 22:00 pm
In his latest column for L’Espresso online, Vatican observer Sandro Magister speculates about the most important “candidates” in a possible conclave and signals that Pope John Paul II could convene a consistory this year to create new cardinals.
The latest interventions by the Pope, argues Magister, “refute the notion that John Paul II is not making decisions. On the contrary; Pope Wojtyla has certain matters in his heart, and he wishes to continue working for them with a resolution that is not affected in the least by his physical fragility.”
According to Magister, one of these matters is “the defense of the unborn,” a theme that “is destined to be continued with his successor.”
For this reason, Magister points out that “of the conclave that will elect the next Pope, in fact, if Ratzinger is not the one elected, it will be someone whom he designates.”