New Pope 2013: Criteria of a Spiritual Leader
It is now Day 3 of the pre-conclave talks by the cardinals who are being holed up at Vatican City. And from today, there are only 18 days left for the cardinals to be able to come up with a new 266th pope in time for the Roman Catholic church's Palm Sunday rites, which heralds the start of its Lenten season. Yet despite the decreasing number of days, the College of Cardinals seem not wont to succumb to outside pressure to immediately start the ball rolling on this year's anticipated papal conclave.
Pre-conclave talks continued to focus on the Vatileaks as well as the sex abuse crises.
Although it is understood that the 100 cardinal electors already present are sizing up each other, there is an undeniable feel in the air that they "don't want to feel rushed" into conducting the conclave, as what Father Federico Lombardi, the director of the Vatican press office, told reporters after the Tuesday morning meeting.
Presumably to have more time to know each other, and be further guided as to who best to elect to become the next pope.
So is there a criteria to follow in choosing the next pope?
The National Catholic Reporter (NCR) highlighted the possible following criteria:
1). Someone who can preach the Gospel in a way that is understandable and attractive to people in the 21st century.
2). Must be a holy man who believes and breathes what he preaches.
3). Must be a brilliant intellectual just like his two predecessors.
4). Must be able to communicate. While looking holy, it is imperative that he must be able to explain the church's teaching to today's people in a language they understand.
5) Must be a good manager and capable of reforming the Vatican bureaucracy.
"In other words, they want Jesus Christ with an MBA," the NCR said.
But is there anybody among the cardinal electors that fit the description to the hilt?
Although only five remains to complete the 115 cardinal electors, the college of cardinals remain adamant in waiting and completing the number before any conclave actually begins.