VATICAN CITY, FEB. 18, 2001 (Zenit.org).- With the creation of 11 new cardinals from Latin America this week, the possibilities increase for the next pope to be elected from that area, a Venezuelan archbishop said.
Archbishop Ignacio Antonio Velasco García of Caracas is set to be among the 44 men who will receive the cardinal´s hat on Wednesday at the Vatican.
Questioned about the possibility of a future pope from Latin America, Archbishop Velasco said during an interview with Associated Press Television News: “I think it is probable. … However, it is only a conjecture, because many things can happen in a conclave.”
“You never know, but it could be a Latin American cardinal,” he said. “There certainly will be some votes,” he added, raising his hand. Latin America embraces 40% of the Church´s 1 billion faithful.
The Venezuelan cardinal-designate said, however, that John Paul II has still time to go. “May God keep him for us for many years,” he exclaimed.
