Italian Paper Calls O'Malley Top Candidate for Papacy

By John Monahan
The Necn
March 10, 2013

http://www.necn.com/03/10/13/Italian-paper-calls-OMalley-top-candidat/landing.html?blockID=834263&feedID=11106

[with video]

(NECN: John Monahan, Boston) - There is renewed speculation that Boston's Cardinal Sean O'Malley is a top candidate to become Pope.

A leading Italian newspaper polled eight Vatican experts. Five of them list Cardinal O'Malley as one of their top picks to be elected during the conclave that will begin Tuesday.

Cardinal O'Malley tied a Brazillian cardinal as a top contender, but won an online reader's poll.

Sunday, O'Malley and the other cardinals had a chance to say Mass in their honorary churches in Rome.

Cardinal O'Malley made no mention of the clamor during his Mass. Instead, he focused on praying for the best possible outcome.

The cardinals will meet in congregations to discuss issues and help determine their voting decisions.

Cardinal O'Malley has discounted his chances, calling himself a dark horse. He joked prior to going to Rome that he bought a round-trip ticket and intends to use it.

Recent conclaves have lasted up to five days. Whether this one will be longer or shorter, as well as the identity of the next Pope, are anyone's guess.