The Cardinal-Electors within three hours will be entering the Sistine Chapel to take the Oath and cast their first ballot. Much has been written in the secular press; mainly driven by ignorance, but also by a desperate attempt to influence Cardinal-Electors psychologically (those inclined to read the press etc.) towards manufactured candidates. In fact, most of the "leading" candidates have been artificially manufactured, and their likelihood of election is less than slim. The fact is that we do not know who the real front runner or more likely, leading papabile are. We do not need the press to inform us who may or may not be elected Pope.
What we need, and what we should be praying for is a holy and wise Pope. We need a Pope who will continue to build on the two great gifts to the Church from Pope Benedict: 1) his teaching on faith and reason, and combat against moral nihilism; and 2) his teaching and praxis on the liturgy. Both of these gifts will take years to feel their full effect.
With the former, the Pope emeritus has provided a spiritual and intellectual basis to advance the Faith vis-a-vis moral relativism and agnosticism. In fact, the edifice of secularism is crumbling with moral degeneracy its immediate, visible effects.
With the latter, the issuance of Summorum Pontificum will perhaps take a few decades to feel the effect, but one can already see how it is influencing the celebration of the New Mass in Rome (the "Benedictine arrangement") and in some dioceses around the world. Much work needs to be done in continuing the return to a holy and devout liturgy. However, Pope Benedict has outlined the course: may his successor build on these two great accomplishments.
May the Holy Spirit surprise us all.
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