Not that I think that Benedict XVI will abdicate over the molestation contraversy but he is so very old and this certainly cannot be good for his health. So if for whatever reason Pope Benedict is no longer Pope before the end of the year, who are the most likely candidates to take over the RCC?
Well there’s Francis Cardinal Arinze. He was was one of John Paul II’s closest advisors, and was considered papabile the last time around. He’d be the first African pope since the 4th century and possible the first black pope ever.
Here’s one person’s list of the top 10:
http://www.popes-and-papacy.com/papabili.htm
His top ten are Cardinals Scherer, Antonelli, Oellet, Napier, Scola, Barbarin, Maradiaga, Schoenborn, Vallini, and Policarpo.
I don’t think it’s going to be Arinze. He’s 77, and more or less retired.
The schedule would be appropriate I’d guess especially as it matches with 12-21-2012.
But quite frankly I’d like to see the next Pope take the name Peter II to disprove the theory.
You know, I don’t think they generally release the short list until the current Pope gets really sick.
Tris
Heh! 
It’s not you!
OR to prove it!!!
How about Jean-Bertrand Aristide? I know he’s not a priest any more, but he was once, and at this point the Church could use a healthy dose of Liberation Theology.
He’s not a cardinal (you don’t have to be, but still), like you said, he’s not a priest anymore (you don’t have to be, but still). he didn’t just leave the priesthood, he was kicked out by his order for inciting violence, and liberation theology is considered vaguely heretical, and unless the Catholic church changes drastically, there’s no way anyone involved with it will become pope.
Last time, The Archbishop of Buenos Aires, Cardinal Bergoglio, was a strong contender.
He would become the first Latin American Pope.
If any those allegations of his involvement in the Dirty War pan out things could get very “awkward”.
No it does not.
Flying spagheti monster save us from that!.
Define “gets really sick”.
In practice it’s probably defined as “can no longer perform ceremonies in public.”
I assume that’s not strong approbation? What’s he like?
Marinara sauce, maybe with some Italian sausage or meatballs. None of your Latin American sauces with chorizos and shit, that is an Abomination before the IFSM!
Without delving too much into Bergoglio’s history (which I don’t know very well, but I wouldn’t be surprised if it contains “obscure chapters” around the 1976-1983 period), the very last thing I’ll like to see is the shot in the arm having an Argentinian pope would give to the Catholic Church in this country.