SOURCE :- THE AGE NEWS
Rome: On the eve of the conclave, Italian Cardinal Matteo Zuppi found himself dodging questions as he was mugged by a waiting media pack about his chances of being the next pope.
Walking the cobblestone streets of Vatican City, he joked with reporters, telling them he was on his way to his barber, poking fun at the intense media focus on his candidacy.
Home-grown: Cardinal Matteo Zuppi is a local favourite to succeed Francis. Credit: nnaJorgebranco
“If the conclave lasts a couple of months, at least I’ll fix myself up a bit,” he quipped, laughing as he added, “As my mother would have said: ‘Where are you going looking like that?’”
Despite his self-deprecating denial of being “papabile” – the Italian term for a man who could be pope – speculation around his name continues to grow, fuelled by his diplomatic achievements as Francis’ special envoy to Russia and Ukraine.
For Italians, the idea of an Italian pope has always been more than just a matter of religion; it’s an integral part of their identity. The Vatican, sitting at the heart of Rome, has long been part of the country’s cultural fabric. For centuries, the papacy was firmly in Italian hands, with 213 of the 266 popes throughout history coming from Italy.
That relationship came to an end in 1978 when Albino Luciani, the patriarch of Venice, briefly ascended as Pope John Paul I. His death 33 days later marked a shift in papacy, and popes from Poland, Germany, and Argentina followed. As the church became more global, Italy’s influence within the College of Cardinals waned, although it still has 17 cardinal electors.
As one Roman prelate reportedly quipped this week: “Wouldn’t it be nice if the next pope were Italian?”
Alberto Melloni, a historian of the Catholic Church at the University of Bologna, says Italy’s history is inseparable from the Vatican. “The church’s influence has shaped everything from art to politics to education in this country,” he said.
The buzz in Italy is undeniable. Newspapers, television, and social media have been aflame with speculation about who will don the white cassock. For many locals, the hope of a home-grown pontiff remains strong – an enduring symbol of Italian pride.
Among the candidates, several Italian cardinals are prominent, including frontrunner Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican secretary of state. Zuppi, the archbishop of Bologna, and Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the patriarch of Jerusalem, are also fancied.
Cardinals Luis Antonio Tagle (left) from the Philippines and Italy’s Pietro Parolin are the current frontrunners in betting on the new pope.Credit: AP, Getty
Each brings unique qualities, said Dr Claudio Betti, director of the Rome Campus of the Australian Catholic University.
Parolin is a seasoned diplomat, Zuppi a pastoral figure with a reputation for mercy, and Pizzaballa a bridge between East and West with years of Middle East experience.
Zuppi is known in Rome for his approachability.Credit: AP
Their candidacies reflect Italy’s desire to restore its influence in the Vatican and reaffirm its connection to the papacy. However, Betti said the recent internationalisation of the papacy has tempered expectations.
He said the reigns of John Paul II and Francis, both beloved in Italy, reshaped the public’s outlook.
“The Italians got used to a foreign pope,” he said, even if they continue to cherish the idea of one of their own in the role.
That is reflected in public opinion. A recent survey by Italian consultancy firm Izi, conducted between April 29 and 30, found that most Italians wanted a pope who would maintain continuity with Francis’ progressive approach.
Over 74 per cent of respondents expressed a preference for a pope who would carry on Francis’ focus on peace, poverty, and rejecting rearmament. While a pope from Italy remains the top choice for many, 60 per cent declared they were indifferent to nationality.
Betti highlighted the growing influence of non-European cardinals. With a record 133 cardinals in the current conclave, the make-up of the electorate is more global. He suggests the time of an Italian pope may be ending.
“This time is the most difficult ever,” he said, noting that a younger, non-Italian candidate could lead the church for 15 to 20 years, reshaping its direction beyond any Italian candidate’s tenure.
‘He’s exceptional’
The survey highlights the widespread desire for a leader who reflects the values of Francis, regardless of origin. Zuppi, 69, a popular figure, stands out among the strong Italian contenders.
He was a parish priest in the centuries-old Basilica of Santa Maria in Trastevere – just a stone’s throw away from the Vatican – and known simply as “Don Matteo”. He was often seen pedalling his bicycle through the area’s cobbled lanes.
Betti said Zuppi’s down-to-earth persona and focus on outreach to the faithful have earned him strong support, particularly in Rome. “The Romans would be 100 per cent for him,” he said. Zuppi’s approachable, pastoral style has earned him a reputation as “Francis 2.0”, he added.
Alfredo Bonelli, who runs a newspaper kiosk a few hundred yards from the basilica, said: “He used to pass by here every morning, and people would wait for him so they could say hello. He’s an exceptional person.”
While the Vatican is now more international, it still holds a unique place in Italian hearts. The language of the church is Italian, and the Vatican remains a distinctly Roman institution.
For Italians, a pope from their own soil would be a reminder of a time when the papacy was intertwined with the nation’s history and identity.
As the conclave begins, the question remains: Will Italy’s hopes for a homegrown pope be realised, or will the globalised nature of the church continue to shape its future? The answer is uncertain, but for now, the hope lives on.
Read more about the conclave and the search for a new pope
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