1. Recent reading shows that the Americas now have the largest percentage of the Catholic population.
2. Whereas the Soviet Union was an enormous problem for the Church at the time Pope John Paul II was elected, and he was someone who was prepared to deal with the Soviets linguistically, philosophically and in virtue of pastoral experience, now the biggest problem for the Church is the raging secularism the United States is exporting all over the world.
3. Within the Church in the United States, and possibly the world, one of the most influential dioceses is Chicago, not necessarily for good.
4. Cdl George has six languages, is a highly regarded theologian, has vast international experience in virtue of being Superior General of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate, an order of some 5,000 men.
5. IF he has time to whip the Archdiocese of Chicago into shape, say four to five years, it seems to me he is papabile par excellence.
6. As a mark of favor from Pope John Paul he was invited to preach the Lenten Retreat for the Papal household last year, just as Cdl Woytla had been by Pope Paul VI .
7. In general, I would keep an eye on those who have preached that retreat, eg, Cdl Hummes of Sao Paolo, Brazil this year.
Lee