‘European’ Cardinal Most Likely To Become Pope Is Gozitan Mario Grech, According To Irish Times
Gozitan Cardinal Mario Grech was named as the “European” most likely to become Pope, according to the Irish Times.
“A European more likely to become pope is Maltese Cardinal Mario Grech (66), who has been central, as secretary general of the Synod of Bishops, to the ongoing synodal process initiated by Pope Francis,” the article, written by Patsy McGarry, says.
“He is also familiar with the Vatican, having served on the Roman Rota, and has been a bishop in Malta for more than 18 years. Coming from a small country is an advantage too, not least where geopolitics is concerned.”
Another European favourite is Cardinal Péter Erdö (71) who comes from a more traditional Catholic Church in Eastern Europe “yet acceptable to so-called liberals in the Western Church, he was elected twice as president of the Council of Bishops’ Conferences of Europe”.
“But it may still be too soon for another Eastern European, in the wake of John Paul II,” the article continued.
At present, there are 241 cardinals, of whom only 136 are below the age of 80 and eligible to vote.
Among the 136 current cardinal electors, Europe has 52, North America 17 (including 11 from the US), Central America five, South America 16, Africa 19, Asia 23, and Oceania three. The majority are from Italy, numbering 14, followed by 11 from the US, eight from Spain, and six each from Brazil and France. Canada, Portugal, and Poland each have four, while Argentina and Germany have three each. Peru, Mexico, Britain, Switzerland, Nigeria, and Tanzania have two each.
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