A New Pope to Be Elected What Controversy Will Follow?

Pope Benedict the first Pope to retire in over 600 years. It seems not a day has passed his Papacy without allegations of sexual abuse being front and center. Yet there always seems to be a scapegoat for the controversy at hand, the recent issue “The Butler did it”, when scandal broke out about stolen documents which were supposedly leaked to the media, “Vatileaks”. The question of blackmail was presumed? Today the Vatican and its’ hierarchy of Cardinals under 80 years of age enter a conclave to elect a leader amongst the pack. Already even before the election, conspiracy grips the world. If the next Pope is black and named ‘Peter the Roman’, this could be the end…end of what? The world? The church as we know it? With the abundance of wealth and priceless artefacts, the leader of the Roman Catholic Church will garner the respect of World Leaders and shower his influence where ever the masses allow him to do so. The result of the last internal investigation, Benedict wants to keep secret and only available to his successor. But the Cardinals want to know what challenges they will be facing and be prepared to deal with them. The reality is that the Vatican is itself a Nation, its’ followers sustain the institution it has become. Unfortunately with all the riches come the greed, corruption, power and temptation. One of the most fascinating books I ever read, “The Banker” was about an individual once know as “God’s Banker”, Roberto Calvi. He was responsible for all the investments of the church and created shell companies globally to move money through Banco Ambrosiano. The investments made at times were controversial especially when the dogma preached was in direct conflict with the investments made. The most intriguing reality was that even the Mafia was able to penetrate and influence the power. Controversies will continue as long as the Power is concentrated in the hands of the few, may God help the new Papa.