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Archbishop Listecki weighs in on selection of pope
Archbishop Listecki weighs in on selection of pope
MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- It is a time of prayer and a time of interest as the eyes of more than a billion Catholics around the world are fixed on what's happening in Vatican City.
115 cardinals are preparing to elect a pope. Their conclave is expected to begin on Tuesday, March 12th. Some will try to analyze the conclave from a political perspective -- others from a sociological perspective. Milwaukee Archbishop Jerome Listecki says it is really a time of faith.
"Really for the believer, it's a moment they believe the Holy Spirit will be guiding and directing those cardinals in the election of new pope. So much so that the Vatican has a call out for people to attach to a cardinal and pray for a cardinal," said Listecki. "So literally people can go into the computer, into the Vatican and get at random a particular cardinal to pray for."
There undoubtedly are issues challenging the church for some. They include a shortage of priests, the role of women in the church, and sexual abuse allegations.
Archbishop Listecki says political and social challengers have faced the church for thousands of years. He doesn't believe resolving such conflict will necessarily be the primary goal of the next pope.
"I think what the conclave will look for, cardinals going in will look for the best man possible to lead us," said Listecki.
One of the Cardinals in Rome now is a beloved former archbishop from Milwaukee. Many have commented on how Cardinal Timothy Dolan would be an interesting choice -- although an unlikely one.
"Tim is a friend of mine. He's great. He would be a great leader, wonderful. But i think what you have to realize is, this is our perspective," said Listecki. "There are other Dolans in the world who have achieved a sense of popular. A young cardinal in Manila who uses the internet. They say there are 200,000 hits on his web."
Archbishop Listecki believes the next pope must be involved with the people of the world; to be pastor to all and to make a connection. Listecki says that will be his greatest challenge.
The hope is to have a new pope elected by Holy Week, which begins March 24th.