A Treasure To Be Shared

When Joseph Ratzinger was elected Pope, this blogger, like many, wept for joy. When Pope Benedict XVI resigned, this blogger, confused and disappointed, wept in sorrow. Yesterday morning I woke up to the news that Pope Leo XIV, Cardinal Prevost, had been elected by his fellow cardinals to the Office of Peter. The video that popped up on the phone captured His Holiness visibly emotional. A man in his position unmoved by the moment would be suspect of pride. Instead, it was not pride but utter sincerity on display, a sincerity of heart born by a man appreciating the profundity of the moment and the intensity of the crowd gathered to acknowledge God's gift to the Church: the ministry of Peter. Projection One's predisposition toward a conclave can say much more about us as individuals than about the man now occupying the Office of Peter. Thankfully, the distraction of personal goings on has provided this blogger with a useful dissociative state that is helping him to avoid gravitat...

O Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father, vouchsafe unto Thy Holy Church a wise and righteous universal shepherd, keeper of the keys, who may safeguard the Faith and direct Thy flock unto everlasting life in Thy Name; Thou who dost liveth and reigneth with the Father and the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. Amen. Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be. Holy Michael, archangel: pray for the cardinals of the holy Roman Church; pray for us.

Consider for a moment the election of Pope Saint John Paul II. The sainted pope became a vehicle through which God brought down the communist empire of Soviet Russia, which fell without a shot being fired. In the history of the world, God has spoken through popes to call people out of sin. Recall the prophetic document Humanae Vitae of Pope Saint Paul VI, which reminded all that "(t)he transmission of human life is a most serious role in which married people collaborate freely and responsibly with God the Creator." Many horrendous things have come to pass because people have not heeded the truth of Humanae Vitae . As the conclave approaches, the men entrusted with the selection of a new pontiff must confront the gravity of their role. They stand before God, entrusted with the election of the Successor of Saint Peter, the first pope, the Apostle chosen by Christ Himself to feed His sheep. Let's review the oaths that the cardinal-electors must take as they participate in t...

"The College of Cardinals has requested that all Catholics pray for them, so that they may listen the Holy Spirit as they discern whom to choose as the next Pope." https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2025-04/cardinals-general-congregation-request-prayers-conclave.html 1. Collect (For the Election of the Pope) from  Divine Worship: the Missal , p. 1005. We humbly beseech thee, O Lord: that of thy unbounded mercy thou wouldest grant unto the holy Roman Church a Pontiff, who by his tender care towards us may ever find favour in thy sight, and, studying to preserve thy people in safety, may ever be honoured by us to the glory of thy Name; through Jesus Christ thy Son our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee in the unity of the Holy Spirit, ever one God, world without end. Amen. 2. Adapted from  The Roman Missa l. O God, eternal Shepherd, who dost govern Thy flock with unfailing solicitude, grant in Thy boundless paternal love a pastor for Thy Church, one who shall ...

CARDINAL AI a.k.a. Mr. Roboto I'm not a robot without emotions, I'm not what you see I've come to help you with your problems so we can be free I'm not a hero, I'm not the saviour, forget what you know I'm just a man whose circumstances went beyond his control Beyond my control, we all need control I need control, we all need control I am thee modern man (secret, secret, I've got a secret) Who hides behind a mask (secret, secret, I've got a secret) So no one else can see (secret, secret, I've got a secret) My true identity Mr. Roboto by Styx (1983) N.B. This blogger acknowledges there is no sure way to predict the outcome of a papal conclave. This post is intended for entertainment purposes only. The text provided has been copied from the sources without edits. In time, we'll see whether or not technology hit or missed the mark. What do you get when you ask four AI assistants for input on the matter of leading contenders (for the papacy) or papab...