Could the Next Pope Be a Cardinal from St. Louis Missouri?

Pope Francis has passed at the age of 88 after a span of illness. The process of picking a new Pope will be getting underway at the Vatican soon. The Conclave is a process of Cardinals choosing the next Pope.

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The Archbishop of New York – Cardinal Timothy Dolan will be participating in the Conclave to choose the next Pope. Could he be the next Pope? Maybe. There has been a trend of recent Pope’s being from outside of Italy (something that was rare for centuries). Starting with John Paul 2 we’ve had three straight Pope’s from beyond Italy. PJP2 was from Poland, Pope Benedict the 16^th was from Germany, Pope Francis came from Argentina.

Many gather to mourn Pope Francis at Vatican City

There has never been a Pope from North American continent much less the United States. Being the Archbishop of the most populous diocese in the country is a pretty heady position. You don’t get a placement like that if those who make decisions on those things think you won’t succeed.

St. Louis' Cardinal Timothy Dolan

Cardinal Dolan is from St. Louis attending St. Louis Prep Seminary High in Shrewsbury. He has been highly thought of within the Catholic church since childhood at Holy Infant School in St. Louis. During school at Cardinal Glennon College, he was sent to study in Rome at the Pontifical North American College and earned a Licentiate of Sacred Theology.

Being 75 could very well work against him when it comes to being voted Pope. But Pope Benedict the 16^th was 78 when he became Pope, and Pope Francis was 76. So maybe age won’t be an issue. As of today, if the next Pope is to be from the United States, the first thought is St. Louis’ Cardinal Timothy Dolan.