A Third World pope

Pope John Paul II's death and its ceremony were big news internationally. As reported, there were calls for sainthood for the deceased pope, as princes, presidents and pilgrims attended his funeral in Rome last week. Also, part of the media's attention has focused on a poignant query with regard to his imminent successor, axiomatically as the next heir to the throne of St. Peter from the ranks of the 117 nominated cardinals.\nAmong the nominees, there has been the mention of a possible choice of a new pope from Asian, Chinese, Indian or African cardinals to succeed Pope John Paul II. In Catholic circles, there is a strong feeling that it is time for a pope to be chosen from the ranks of mainstream Third World cardinals. \nIt seems, however, that the chance of an African cardinal is causing some of the most commotion in the deliberation. There are cardinals being considered from as far south as sub-Saharan Africa to some in Western Africa. Two frequently mentioned to be of papal quality are from the nation of Nigeria: Francis Cardinal Arinze and Anthony Olubunmi Cardinal Okogie. \nBut most of the international Catholic community is unfamiliar with these African candidates. Of the two aforementioned cardinals from Nigeria, we draw our focus to Francis Cardinal Arinze. \nIt's important to know the history behind Cardinal Arinze's vocation. Born Nov. 1, 1932, at Eziowelle in eastern Nigeria, Cardinal Arinze was ordained a Catholic priest Nov. 23, 1958, about two years before his native Nigeria received its independence in 1960 from the British colonial leaders. Between July 6, 1965 and March 9, 1985, Cardinal Arinze held various high positions in the Catholic church of Nigeria and, later, in Rome. On April 8, 1984, Cardinal Arinze was brought to Rome by Pope John Paul II and appointed Pro-Prefect of Interreligious Dialogue of the Roman Curia. Then, on March 9, 1985, he gave up the Archbishop position in his native Onitsha. On May 25, 1985, then Archbishop Arinze was elevated to Cardinal status, becoming Cardinal-Deacon of St. Giovanni della Pigna in Rome, and on May 27, 1985, he was appointed President of Interreligious Dialogue of the Roman Curia. \nCardinal Arinze, on Jan. 29, 1996 was appointed by the late Pope as Cardinal-Priest of St. Giovanni della Pigna. On Oct. 1, 2002, at age 69, Cardinal Arinze was appointed Prefect of Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments of the Roman Curia, a position he held until April 2, 2005, when he resigned. \nCardinal Arinze's importance and closeness to the late Pope, according to Vatican sources, should make him a viable candidate for the papacy. For example, at the Vatican on Oct. 11, 2004, as the Prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Sacraments, Pope John Paul II selected Cardinal Arinze to present his apostolic letter that was titled in Latin "Mane Nobiscum Domine." The pope's letter had an introduction, four chapters and a conclusion, and it was presented in what the Catholic Church labeled in 2004 as a Eucharistic Year. Subsequently, Pope John Paul II entrusted the observance of the Year of the Eucharist to the pastoral attention of Catholic bishops throughout the world. On behalf of the pope, Cardinal Arinze underscored inter alia from the letter: "The way in which we celebrate Mass must manifest our acute awareness of the real presence of Christ." \nTo encourage the rapid growth of the Catholic Church in the Third World, and in view of the crucial high-level Catholic Church positions held by Cardinal Arinze, it should not surprise anyone if the emergence of white smoke signals that Francis Cardinal Arinze is the next pope to succeed Pope John Paul II.