‘Next Pope should be like Jesus’

A man who epitomizes Jesus and attracts people with a special sense of charm.

These are the among the qualities which Church officials and lay groups want the next pope to possess.

“The pope is the vicar of Christ. He is Christ’s representative here on earth. I hope, the one to be elected Pope should have the same characteristics of Jesus,” said Msgr. Achilles Dakay, media liaison officer of the Archdiocese of Cebu.

According to Dakay, the two particular characteristics he admire most about Jesus is the latter’s being “approachable and available.”

Fr. Mhar Vincent Balili, on his part, said the one who shall be elected Pope should have the charm that can inspire devotion in others.

“The pope should be charismatic in bringing the word of God to the people. The teachings of the Church are so wonderful. The problem is its transmission,” he said in an interview yesterday.

“It is important for the pope to be charismatic in transmitting the teaching of the Church to the people,” he added.

Balili, who is currently the secretary of Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma, said having a “younger” pope among the 115 cardinal-electors has an advantage.

“A young pope can travel and has new ideas. Blessed Pope John Paul II was a young cardinal when he was elected pope,” he said.

John Paul II was 58 years old when he was elected during the 1978 conclave.

But Balili said one could not just set aside maturity in choosing the next Pope.

“As they say wisdom grows with maturity,” he said.

He said there is a possibility that next Pope will once again be an Italian.

“Majority of the cardinals come from Italy. But it’s really up to the Holy Spirit who shall guide the cardinal-electors,” Balili said.