VATICAN CITY
Vatican Insider
Well-liked by Ratzinger, he is seen as an outsider to the Roman Curia. After four days of discussions, the first alliances take shape
ANDREA TORNIELLI
Vatican City
After four days of discussions and six General Congregations, the groups and the strongest “papabili” are emerging more clearly in the meeting room but even more so in the face to face talks taking place away from prying eyes. Among them is the Archbishop of Milan, Angelo Scola, who is coming to the fore. He has been considered one of the possible candidates for the Papal Seat right from the beginning; the votes of several American cardinals and of other European cardinal electors, from Germany to Eastern Europe, as well as those of some Italians, could be cast for him. It is important to remember that thanks to the initiatives of the Oasis Foundation, the Milanese cardinal has interwoven relationships with Eastern Churches as well; for example, with the Lebanese Patriarch Bechara Rai.
Scola was held in particular esteem by Pope Benedict XVI, who transferred him from the Venice to the diocese of Milan. An unprecedented decision considered as a sign by many. And it is no secret that Joseph Ratzinger, endorsing Cardinal Camillo Ruini’s suggestion, had also considered him in 2007 for appointment as President of the Italian Episcopal Conference. At that time, it was the newly appointed Secretary of State, Tarcisio Bertone, who objected and the nomination was dropped. Scola is thus perceived as an outsider to the Roman Curia and to the management that has characterized it in recent years. Because of his international renown he could be one of the two strongest candidates from the very first vote in the Conclave that starts next week.
The other candidate who, at the moment, is expected to start with a good number of votes is the Brazilian Odilo Pedro Scherer, Archbishop of São Paulo, who has a long curial and Vatican experience and would have the support of some influential Cardinals of the Curia; from the former Prefect of bishops, Giovanni Battista Re, to the Dean Angelo Sodano (who will not enter the Sistine Chapel to vote).
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