Ghana’s Peter Cardinal Turkson told Times of London that he was ready to serve in that capacity if elected.
Turkson, 64, was quoted as saying the conclave of cardinals to choose the next Pope expected to be held mid next month could recognise the growing maturity of the church in the global south.
“For me having someone from the southern part of the world, Africa, Latin America, Asia, I would not be too surprised if that happened,” he told the Times.
It has also emerged that Benedict underwent surgery to replace the batteries in his pacemaker three months before announcing his resignation on Monday.
Responding to a report in the Italian Press that said the operation had been carried out in great secrecy at the Pius XI clinic in Rome, the Vatican spokesman Federico Lombardi said the surgery had been routine and unconnected to Benedict’s decision to step down.
It was reportedly the first official acknowledgement that the 85-year-old Pope has a pacemaker, a fact already known to some Vatican observers.
Lombardi insisted, as he did on Monday, that the Pope’s shock resignation had not been prompted by any specific illness. Benedict has had the pacemaker ever since he was a cardinal, he added.
“It was a routine replacement of the batteries,” Lombardi said, declining to give a date for the operation, which took place just under three months ago. “It is absolutely not a relevant procedure.”
And yesterday Benedict broke his silence following his resignation announcement by stating that the decision he had taken was for the good of the church.
Making his first public appearance during his weekly public audience since his announcement at the Vatican, the Pope thanked thousands of faithful for “their love and prayer”.
“Keep praying for me, for the church and for the future pope,” he added, after a standing ovation from the thousands of people assembled in the audience hall.
Restating his declaration on Monday, made in Latin to a group of cardinals, that his strength – both mental and physical – were declining, Benedict said he was “well aware” of the gravity of the decision.
“I did this in full freedom for the good of the church after praying for a long time and examining my conscience before God,” he said.
The Pope, who appeared strong, said he had experienced the kindness of worshippers “almost physically”.
As the German cleric walked into the chamber, he received a standing ovation with many of those present bursting into tears. A huge banner reading “Grazie Santita” (Thank you Your Holiness) was strung up at the back of the hall.
Although he looked frail and spoke softly, the Pope was clearly overwhelmed with joy at the response he had received from the crowds.
He later presided over the Ash Wednesday Mass in St Peter’s Basilica. It had been scheduled for a smaller venue on the Aventine hill, but the plans were changed in the aftermath of his announcement.
On Monday Benedict opted to announce his resignation in Latin, but for yesterday’s weekly audience he switched to the more accessible Italian. But the message he gave was the same – that old age and a lack of energy meant there was simply no point continuing in a job that he believes a younger successor could do more successfully.
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