CEBU, Philippines - Cebu archbishop emeritus Ricardo Cardinal Vidal is leaving for Rome today with Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle to attend the last Mass to be celebrated by Pope Benedict XVI on February 28.
Vidal said the pontiff will celebrate the mass with all the cardinals in the world before the conclave will convene to elect the new pope. Vidal however is no longer eligible to enter the conclave being a retired.
Tagle will be among the members of the College of Cardinals who is eligible to vote and be voted upon as the next pope. The Vatican has announced the resignation of the Pope effective on February 28 because of health reasons.
“When the conclave is convened, we will be praying that they (the cardinals) would be able to select the one that is needed for today, a leader of our Catholic Church needed for today,†Vidal said.
Vidal said he will be among those who will pray for the cardinals to select the right person for the position. While in Rome, Vidal will be staying Colegio Filipino.
Asked on the possibility of Tagle being elected as the new Pope, Vidal said it will all depend on the Holy Spirit. Tagle is among the 12 cardinals considered for the position.
“It all depends to the Holy Spirit. As what I experienced, all those who were called pap abele, when they entered the conclave, they will also get out pap abele gihapon,†Vidal explained.
Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma described Tagle as a great cardinal and that there are really people hoping for him to be the next pope.
However, Palma said it is the Holy Spirit that will guide the cardinals during the selection process.
“We do not want to make four steps ahead of the Holy Spirit. We leave everything to the Spirit and that is the disposition that we all have. Everything should be left to the inspiration of the Holy Spirit and I think that should be how it is. We do not have nominations, we do not have campaigns, everything is left in the inspiration of the Holy Spirit,†Palma said.
Palma, who heads the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), encouraged everyone to pray, especially for the cardinals and for the coming of the Holy Spirit. (FREEMAN)