Papal Politics: Will a new pope be selected by Palm Sunday?

Bottom Line

Last Thursday Pope Benedict XVI became the first pope in nearly 600 years to resign. With his resignation now official, the Catholic Church is in a period known as the "sede vacante"- which means vacant seat- and the College of Cardinals has begun meeting in Rome to discuss the start of the conclave which will elect the new pope.

Lots of you had questions about this process. Karen Marks asked: How do they come up with the nominees?

Mariana tweeted: A resigning pope is big deal, does it mean they will be more open to changes? Like women holding priesthood? Younger popes?

Adrienne McCarthy inquired: Once chosen, can the individual refuse?

Esther Potter wrote in on Facebook: Okay, I'll bite. Who exactly is in charge during this interregnum? Are Catholics on their own spiritually until the next Pope is named? Is the old one still involved? Or are there acting pope-like individuals who carry on the work?

And Stuart Countryman asked: What are the chances they will have a new pope by Palm Sunday?

Thanks for the great questions. Please be sure to keep them coming on Facebook and Twitter. Be sure to tune in to "Good Morning America" tomorrow morning and "This Week" on Sunday where I'll be interviewing former Florida Governor Jeb Bush. See you then.

Cardinal Angelo Scola
Country: Italy
Age: 71
Titles: Cardinal-Priest of Santi XII Apostoli; Archbishop of Milan

Scola is one of the front-runners to be selected, after many considered him a candidate ... more?

Cardinal Angelo Scola
Country: Italy
Age: 71
Titles: Cardinal-Priest of Santi XII Apostoli; Archbishop of Milan

Scola is one of the front-runners to be selected, after many considered him a candidate following John Paul II's death in 2005. More academic than pastoral, Scola has published over 100 articles in journals of philosophy and theology and is the founder of Oasis, an organization that seeks to bolster the relationship between the Western and Muslim worlds. less?

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Source: http://news.yahoo.com/papal-politics-pope-selected-palm-202205902.html

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