Church needs 'young', 'non-European' pope

MANILA, Philippines - A member of the clergy on Wednesday said he hopes the successor of Pope Benedict XVI would be "young" and able to "discern the thinking of post-modern times."

In a TV interview, Father Antonio Pascual, president of the Catholic-run Radyo Veritas, said it may be time to elect a pope who is from outside Europe.

"Wala pang santo papa na galing sa labas ng Europa. Sana ang mapili ay non-European, at bata. Sa bagong panahon, mahalaga na ang susunod na papa galing sa majority of Catholic faith and that's not from Europe," Pascual said.

He added Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle is a good contender for the highest position in Catholic Church.

"He (Tagle) is a very good candidate, that's why we have to pray that the Holy Spirit moves so they pick a pope who would be able to travel all over the world," Pascual said.

However, Pascual said contenders from within and outside Europe are all equally capable of leading the church amid the challenges of "secularism, materialism and relativism."

Pascual also addressed speculations about the Pope Benedict XVI's successor as the last pope whose reign would end in the destruction of Rome and would usher in the end of times, as indicated by the supposed prophecies of St. Malachy.

"The official position of the church is that those prophecies were forged. Prophecies are mystical, full of myths and symbols and they should be interpreted by the church," Pascual said.

Quoting a verse from the book of Revelations, Pascual also said people should not fear the end of times as the Bible said it will be a time of the second coming of Jesus Christ and that it would pave the way for the "perfection" of the Church and not its destruction.

"Nobody knows the end time, only the Father [in heaven] knows. What's important is that we have to be prepared and faith in the Lord is paramount," he said.

Pope Benedict XVI will officially leave his post on February 28.