IRELAND
Daily Mail (UK)
Could this married feminist be the Catholic Church’s first woman cardinal? Rumours rife that reforming Pope Francis is preparing to break with 900 years of history
An Irish feminist is causing a stir in the Catholic world as rumours are rife the married 49-year-old could be set to join the world’s ‘most exclusive’ club.
Linda Hogan is being tipped as a contender to become the Vatican’s first female cardinal.
A woman has never held the title, and while current precedence states only ordained men can be appointed to the role, Pope Francis could be poised to make history.
The leader of the Catholic church, elected eight months ago, has emerged as a liberal prompting speculation he will invite a woman to don the red hat and welcome the first female cardinal into the Vatican’s fold.
The reformist Argentinian pope has made no secret of the fact he aims to increase the role of women in the church, calling for ‘a truly deep theology of women’.
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