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ON MY WATCH
By MANUEL L. CABALLERO
ELECTION OF NEW POPE BEGINS MAY 7; UNNAMED VATICAN INSIDERS PUSHING FOR FILIPINO CARDINAL TAGLE TO BE NEXT POPE?
As May 7 approaches, the start of conclave when 135 cardinals of the Catholic Church will elect a new pope, there are apparent Vatican insiders with good intentions who are posting audio-visual presentations in social media that introduce Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle. The videos speak well of the good Cardinal from the Philippines. One such video describes the Filipino Cardinal as "Asian Pope Francis." Another said Cardinal Tagle can maintain traditions and introduce modern-day changes within the Catholic Church.
It is quite obvious that those people who produced said videos prefer Cardinal Tagle to succeed the late Pope Francis.
Latest to express preference for Cardinal Tagle to be the next pope is Pope Francis' sister, Maria Elena. In a 45- minute video which described the qualities of Cardinal Tagle that make him fit for the papacy, the late Pope's sister was mentioned as endorsing the Filipino prelate because she believed that Cardinal Tagle could continue what her brother Pope has started and failed to finish.
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God bless the 135 cardinals as they perform their historic job of electing the next leader of the Catholic Church throughout the globe.
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While the conclave excitement is going on, US President Donald Trump posted in his social media an AI generated photo of himself in complete Papal costume from head to foot sitting in a Papal chair.
The photo was widely criticized as improper. Filipino Cardinal Pablo David had a short comment, "NOT funny, Sir!"
Indeed, it was not. Trump supporters thought it was funny. Though, I think it was an insult to the 1.4 billion Catholics around the world.
contributedmlc2505
