O'Malley, the `cappuccino priest,' a hit in Rome

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AP-Excite

By RACHEL ZOLL

VATICAN CITY (AP) - The archbishop of Boston, dressed more often in the humble brown robe of his religious order than a cardinal's regalia, has emerged as an unlikely star amid the drama unfolding in Rome.

Vatican analysts for the leading Italian newspapers have repeatedly listed Cardinal Sean O'Malley as one of the favorite contenders in the conclave starting Tuesday.

As recently as two weeks ago, O'Malley hadn't appeared on the lists of papabili, or cardinals with papal potential, that church watchers pore over each morning like sports scores, even though only the cardinal-electors know how they will vote. Vatican observers said no American cardinal could win: A superpower pope risked mixing church and U.S. interests. O'Malley is also a Capuchin Franciscan, and few members of religious orders have led the church.

But O'Malley arrived to a country in an anti-establishment mood.

FULL story at link.


Read more: http://apnews.excite.com/article/20130312/DA4VNNQ81.html

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In this image made from video provided by Vatican CTV television, US Cardinal Sean Patrick O'Malley, right, takes an oath of secrecy inside the Sistine Chapel, at the Vatican, Tuesday, March 12, 2013, before the start of the conclave to elect the 266th Roman Catholic Church pope. Behind O'Malley are Cardinals Stanislaw Dziwisz, of Poland, Carlo Caffara, of Italy, Sean Baptist Brady, of Ireland, and Lluis Martinez Sistach, of Spain. (AP Photo/CTV via APTV)

[Submariner]

1. During the last 2 election cycles this f'ing Dork

reminded us catholics to be careful about voting for Democrats, including Kerry, because we would be, in essence, committing a sin voting for a political party that supports a woman's right to choose. Therefore, vote repuke, and be on god's side.

If this assh*le gets in as pope the church will tank quicker than it already is, which is probably a good thing anyway.

O'Malley is known for not answering parishioners queries and questions. He just hides out in the rectory to keep his rep as meek and mild.

[Katashi_itto]

11. He's up there for worst choice. Cool, hopefully he'll get it. RRC is not adaptable. They will

continue to ignore everything till it's to late.

[Dawson Leery]

2. Anti-choice in all cases, anti-gay equality, anti-contraception.

[ck4829]

3. And the worst thing is, he'd still be a better pick than Dolan

[hlthe2b]

4. How unfortunate... I had sort of been intrigued by the fact he's a Franciscan...

To hell with all this... We need to bring in a nun as Pope--preferably one from the famous anti-poverty bus tour.

[Nye Bevan]

7. He would consider that to be flattery (nt)

[onehandle]

5. From what I've read, I think we want another European Pope.

Most of the African and Latin America Cardinals are to the right of the average European Cardinal.

And the American Cardinals? Forget it.

[Fat Bastard]

8. My guess that the Filipino cardinal will win.

I'm just guessing.

Catholics needs someone who's moderate, or at least a liberal.

When was the last liberal to be a pope?

[Zen Democrat]

9. Pope John XXIII?

[MADem]

10. John Paul the First--if you believe the rumors, they poisoned the guy because he was too liberal! nt

[Andy Stanton]

6. It's unrealistic

To think the Catholic Church would select someone other than a super-conservative to lead them.

The Church is an extremely conservative institution today. There was a time when political liberals could feel at home in the Church, but no more.