A pastor in Ontario wondered about behind-the-scenes politicking ahead of the conclave to elect the next pope. He could have read news reports or listened to briefings by the Vatican spokesman. Instead, he asked a cardinal. Less than an hour later, the response arrived.
Pope Benedict XVI on Saturday elevated six churchmen, including the Philippines’ Archbishop Luis Antonio Tagle, to cardinals, bringing a more geographically diverse mix to the elite club that will elect the next pope.
Six non-European prelates, including Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Tagle, are set to join the Catholic Church’s College of Cardinals on Saturday, a move welcomed by critics concerned that the body which will elect the future pope is too Eurocentric.
