Brazilian cardinal-designate said he would support an African pope

Published: 2003-10-10

SAO PAULO, Brazil (CNS) -- Brazilian Cardinal-designate Eusebio Scheid of Rio de Janeiro said that although he would vote for an African pope he hopes he will not have to vote for Pope John Paul II's successor. Cardinal-designate Scheid, 70, told Brazilian media that although he would support an African papal candidate he was uncomfortable talking about papal succession. The cardinal-designate said Africa, like Latin America, has suffered from hunger and AIDS. He said church leaders from the two regions would be strong candidates in a future conclave. The Rio de Janeiro archbishop was one of 30 cardinals that Pope John Paul named Sept. 28; he will be elevated in a consistory at the Vatican Oct. 21. The cardinal-designate, known for his friendliness and good humor, said his nomination was due to the archdiocese's importance in the region and not due to personal merit.

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