As The New Pope Emerges Today?

Dr. Jarlath uche Opara
Jarlarthuche@gmail.com

Mischief makers are already at it. The internet is gradually being awashed with all manner of news. Fake news of the election of a new Pope making the round through a short clip video from the film “Conclave” .

It is a satire of what happens inside the Sistine Chapel during conclave. Many unsuspecting masses are taking it to be the exact reflection of this on going conclave. It is at best discription “Satanic” in the light and plot of the book “In God’s Name” by David Yallop for those who have read it. A revelation of the kind of politics played in Vatican and the death of Pope John PauI I. These are all plots and orchestrations to drag the sanctity, integrity, values etc of Catholic Church to the mud.

The good and cheering news in all these is, the church has always pulled through, becoming stronger, better and bigger, a validation of the scriptures that the gates of hell will not prevail against it.

As we prayerfully await the unveiling of the new Pontiff these are my wishes.

1) The new Pope should pick the name Peter. Pope Peter 11. History has it that the name Peter has remained the only name that has not been chosen by any Pope after St Peter. It may seem very superficial, but my thought around it isn’t. It is my wish for the new Pope to take the name Pope Peter11. This by my opinion would see in fullness the grace of St Peter very manifold in him. We need such grace of radical faith of Peter now!

2) I would like the new Pope to be either black or white with a mind that is christ-centric. A mind that is driven by love, charity, empathy and sound understanding of the mind of God in the light of the exigencies of our age and time.

3)I would want a Pope that is passionate about the Spiritual growth of God’ people building his papacy on the Charismatic Spirituality of the early church. A church where shadow, handkerchief etc were sources of healing.

4) I would want a Pope that would in furtherance to the spirit of Pope John XXIII open up the more, the windows of the church. The church needs more Aggiornamento via a third Vatican Council.

5) I would want a Pope with the power and might of St Peter as expressed at the beautiful gate.

6) I would want a Pope that would replicate the wonders and mystery of Acts of the Apostles chapter two.
The world is gone crazy and bizarre with all manner of malfeasance, the LGTBQ, the mindless political chess games impoverishing the people of God. The church itself isn’t spared in all these, each day it keeps struggling to impart godliness, decency and values on God’ people driven by the waves of social misintegration. We need a Pope with the power of Elijah, the gab and sagacity of St Paul, the loving nature of St John the Beloved, the forgiven nature of St Stephen, the moral impecability and gifts of Joseph, the love and care of Mother Theresa and Pope Francis for the downtrodden.

These are my wishes, to you they may seem out of modern day charateristics of a Pope. Highly persuaded however to say, such is my kind of Pope in this drifting generation. Too sure by God’ grace to have all these amazing qualities in the one that would herald Habemus Papam later today?