Arborelius about Pope speculation: I am extremely inappropriate

Anders Arborelius, Sweden’s first Catholic Cardinal since the 16th century, has a lot to think about. Pope Francis is buried on Saturday, Arborelius has to go to Rome and he jokingly explains that he needs to look for air tickets.

Still, it would be a lie to say that Anders Arborelius seems stressed when he – and the adjective is to be read literally here – steps into the hall. The Catholic Church has called for a press conference on the occasion of Pope Francis’s death on Monday Easter.

The Swedish Cardinal is Dressed in order costume, has a large silver cross in a chain around the neck and radiates a dignity that may not automatically be associated with foot -rich sandals of the type that Arborelius carries for the day.

The brand of the sandals is « Tellus », a coincidence almost something, for those who believe in meetings.

– I think Pope Francis for many has characterized the image of the Catholic Church as open to dialogue with the world, says Arborelius, when he sat down with three Catholic veps behind his back.

– And we see that what the Pope has been at the center right now is in danger. He wanted to build bridges – not walls, he wanted to make sure that the poor and suppressed came to his own, he wanted to create peace, he wanted to fight for the environment. Thus, issues that are of general interest, but which are in our time in question.

Anders Arborelius became bishop In Stockholm’s Catholic diocese (which collects all Catholic parishes in Sweden) in 1998 and was elevated to Cardinal 2017. As such, and as being under 80 years old, he will be part of the so -called Pope.

« Cum Clave », Latin for « with Key », is what it is called when the Catholic Church’s cardinals lock the doors around in the Sixtin chapel and meet to choose a new pope.

– Yes, so you have already started, says Arborelius, and may reveal something about why he is anxious about those air tickets.

– Now maybe not many people are in Rome, but you have already had a meeting there. There will be more such meetings, to match what lives among us, what we have for expectations and what we could imagine for the future.

Before the Conclave, it is Usually that the present cardinals agree on which question they see as most important for the church when a new pope is to be appointed. Arborelius does not have to think about what he thinks should guide the cardinals’ choice for long.

– I would say that it is the ability to reach out with the gospel. Reaching out to a world that does not know the message, or who knows it incorrectly. The Pope will primarily be the deputy of Christ, who will succeed in renewing our view of God’s presence in the world, he says.

As a cardinal, Arborelius should not only be involved in choosing a new pope, the fact is that – at least in theory – he could be the new pope. When the New York Times speculates in which names are conceivable on the Holy Chair, Anders Arborelius is on the list.

After the press conference provides Arborelius individual interviews. DN gets place number five and when we sit down with the cardinal he has been tired of the inevitable issue.

He has already explained that he sees his own potential papacy as « more imagination than reality » and told him that he actually asked Pope Francis for permission to retire at the age of 75 (Francis responded « granted, but I do not say when it becomes »).

Anders Arborelius was not baptized in the Catholic Church as a child, but converted at the age of 20. Two years later, he chose the monastery life as Carmelite monk in Norraby Monastery in Skåne. And it is back to the monastery that he longs for his pension.

But on a question from SVT, he has also been able to answer that although a cardinal can in principle refuse if he were to be appointed as Pope, it belongs to a priest’s calling to perform the assignments he is entrusted by the church.

What do you think that you, who chose to go to a monastery when you were young, could be named Pope?

– Yes, but then I have emphasized that I am extremely unsuitable for this task, replies Arborelius.

Doesn’t those who are chosen usually say just that?

– It’s probably a little different.

The Cardinal is delayed a bit:

– No, no, but it is true that no one knows who it is, and we do not have to speculate on it, because someone will be.

Anders Arborelius is on his way to Rome. He hopes to be again in two weeks. Hope.

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