Not out of the question. Cardinals are no more immune to current events than the rest of us. Being the son of a soccer player won’t hurt him among the Italian Cardinals, or the Cardinals from most of the rest of the world for that matter. Additionally, a relative Dark Horse might be preferred. His age of 60 is neither too young or too old. Go here to read more about him.
Conclave Watch: Pierbattista Cardinal Pizzaballa
- Donald R. McClarey
Donald R. McClarey
Cradle Catholic. Active in the pro-life movement since 1973. Father of three, one in Heaven, and happily married for 43 years. Small town lawyer and amateur historian. Former president of the board of directors of the local crisis pregnancy center for a decade.
From the Pillar;
Pizzaballa announced he was prepared to do anything to secure the release of hundreds of Israelis taken as hostages to Gaza.
“I am ready for an exchange, anything, if this can lead to freedom, to bring the children home. No problem. There is total willingness on my part,” he stressed.
Young and courageous…
hummm.
Can’t wait for the Bee’s take on this one. 😁
It’d be a shame for him to take a new name. Better he live as a cardinal, die as a saint, and inspire future generations to name their children Pierbattista or found Pizzaballa University.
I’ve been trying not to look over the lists of prospects, but I did look up which Asians received an education in Italy. I like the balance of fluency in Western languages but not the baggage of being an American, African, or European. An Italian in Jerusalem is well within that range.
A commenter on The Pillar mentioned that he would be the first pope in 300 years to have a beard. Well facial hair for males is the au courant look. But maybe his goatee is also an ecumenical nod to the Eastern Rite and Orthodox patriarchs, their clerics in the Holy Land and Near East?
Fr. Guido Sarducci;
Motssaballa, Meataballa, Pizzaballa…well let’sa just saya dat’s za next Pope could be whhat da kidsa saya, a reeal gamea channgger.
If he is anything like his goalkeeper uncle, he could become Gods goal keeper and guard the Church from unforeseen shots at our Faith. As the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, and with a history of conservative views Id be happy if God chose him to be the next Pope…only after his Eminence, Cardinal Sarah.