An Early Front Runner

Not only is it considered impolitic to campaign for the papacy, it is also against Vatican law. The Roman Catholic Church bars elector Cardinals (those under 80) from talking publicly about the matter. Still, as a frail John Paul II celebrated the 25th anniversary of his papacy last week, a quiet campaign for the post seems well under way, and an early--and active--front runner is the Archbishop of Milan, Dionigi Tettamanzi. His transfer a year ago from the helm of the Genoa Archdiocese to the world's largest one, in Milan, was akin to winning a party's nomination. "He's a natural candidate,"...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!