Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa

[Cosmic Charlie]

First, I know, nobody really likes it when I show up, I'm cool with it and I'm not hanging around long....

But...

I just dropped in to see what condition our collective condition was in (This is the third papal of the Chirstianfourms era - I know we're all here talking about it)

Anyway.....

....Seriously....

Why is nobody talking about this guy ?

He's smart, educated like crazy, a good leader and has a focus on the laity.

He's been in the Middle East for years, understands Africa and East Asia and everybody says he's likable.

Also,

Greatest name in the history of Italian popes.

Is it because he's a Franciscan ? Or maybe he's too young at 60 ?

Cardinal Pizzaballa’s Meteoric Rise to ‘Papabile’ – EWTN Great Britain

ewtn.co.uk

 

[Michie]

First, I know, nobody really likes it when I show up, I'm cool with it and I'm not hanging around long....

But...

I just dropped in to see what condition our collective condition was in (This is the third papal of the Chirstianfourms era - I know we're all here talking about it)

Anyway.....

....Seriously....

Why is nobody talking about this guy ?

He's smart, educated like crazy, a good leader and has a focus on the laity.

He's also the right age and everybody says he's likable.

Also,

Greatest name in the history of Italian popes.

Is it because he's a Franciscan ?

Cardinal Pizzaballa’s Meteoric Rise to ‘Papabile’ – EWTN Great Britain

ewtn.co.uk

He’s being discussed. He is the papabile of the day over at Crux. Everyone is pretty much being discussed if they are considered papabile. I’m not sure if a long papacy is desired given his youth as compared to the others.


The case against?

The argument against Pizzaballa generally begins with his age, 60, which could augur for a longer papacy than some cardinals may wish. Yet his age could also work the other way, assuring cardinals wishing stability that they won’t have to go through the upheavals of a papal transition again anytime soon.

In addition, the lack of a clear indication of where Pizzaballa stands on many contested Catholic issues could frighten some voters, leading them to his a Pizzaballa papacy as too much of a journey into the unknown.

For all those who feel the election of another Italian pope would be a step back rather than forward, Pizzaballa obviously would be disqualified on those grounds, even if he’s spent most of his adult life outside Italy.

A final footnote.

In Italian, Pizzaballa’s last name literally means “pizza dance.” Merely contemplating the dancing pizza memes his election would generate suggests he would also be a compelling figure from a media point of view, perhaps affording him the chance to pick up the cultural megaphone left behind by Francis.

https://cruxnow.com/papal-transition/2025/04/papabile-of-the-day-cardinal-pierbattista-pizzaballa

 

[Cosmic Charlie]

He’s being discussed. He is the papabile of the day over at Crux. Everyone is pretty much being discussed if they are considered papabile. I’m not sure if a long papacy is desired given his youth as compared to the others.

https://cruxnow.com/papal-transition/2025/04/papabile-of-the-day-cardinal-pierbattista-pizzaballa

Yeah, he is younger than I thought he was (60 years).

JPII sort of put a crimp in the "younger Pope" theory.

 

[Michie]

Yeah, he is younger than I thought he was (60 years).

JPII sort of put a crimp in the "younger Pope" theory.

Isn’t Pizzaballa the guy Pope Francis called on a regular basis?

ETA: No. I’m mistaken. It was Father Gabriel Romanelli.

 

[Cosmic Charlie]

A final footnote.

In Italian, Pizzaballa’s last name literally means “pizza dance.” Merely contemplating the dancing pizza memes his election would generate suggests he would also be a compelling figure from a media point of view, perhaps affording him the chance to pick up the cultural megaphone left behind by Francis.

40 years ago, Saturday Night Live,

You triggered a memory:

 

[Gnarwhal]

I think we've been talking about him quite a bit cause he might be one of the most likely. I like him, I might have Cardinals I'd prefer over him like Eijk, Muller, Burke, Sarah, Sturla, etc but Pizzaballa is more moderate thus possibly most likely to win the votes.

 

[chevyontheriver]

First, I know, nobody really likes it when I show up, I'm cool with it and I'm not hanging around long....

It's not that I don't like when you show up. It's just that I usually find an abundance if things we differ on.

But...

I just dropped in to see what condition our collective condition was in (This is the third papal of the Chirstianfourms era - I know we're all here talking about it)

What else to talk about, really?

Anyway.....

....Seriously....

Why is nobody talking about this guy ?

He's smart, educated like crazy, a good leader and has a focus on the laity.

He's been in the Middle East for years, understands Africa and East Asia and everybody says he's likable.

Also,

Greatest name in the history of Italian popes.

Is it because he's a Franciscan ? Or maybe he's too young at 60 ?

Cardinal Pizzaballa’s Meteoric Rise to ‘Papabile’ – EWTN Great Britain

ewtn.co.uk

I agree. He seems like he might actually be an OK candidate. And the greatest name ever.

If he becomes pope he can choose the name 'John' and in great pizza making tradition he will be 'Papa John'.

Somehow I don't think that translates well outside of the USA. Oh well.

We could do worse.

 

[Wolseley]

If he becomes pope he can choose the name 'John' and in great pizza making tradition he will be 'Papa John'.

Somehow I don't think that translates well outside of the USA. Oh well.

We could do worse.

 

[RileyG]

First, I know, nobody really likes it when I show up, I'm cool with it and I'm not hanging around long....

But...

I just dropped in to see what condition our collective condition was in (This is the third papal of the Chirstianfourms era - I know we're all here talking about it)

Anyway.....

....Seriously....

Why is nobody talking about this guy ?

He's smart, educated like crazy, a good leader and has a focus on the laity.

He's been in the Middle East for years, understands Africa and East Asia and everybody says he's likable.

Also,

Greatest name in the history of Italian popes.

Is it because he's a Franciscan ? Or maybe he's too young at 60 ?

Cardinal Pizzaballa’s Meteoric Rise to ‘Papabile’ – EWTN Great Britain

ewtn.co.uk

Hey buddy! Welcome back!

I’m not too familiar with him. Nothing wrong with the Franciscans, coming from someone was educated at a Benedictine university

I think anyone under the age of 65 is considered too young to be Pope? I dunno

Peace

 

[chevyontheriver]

Hey buddy! Welcome back!

I’m not too familiar with him. Nothing wrong with the Franciscans, coming from someone was educated at a Benedictine university

I think anyone under the age of 65 is considered too young to be Pope? I dunno

Peace

Hey! I’m old enough! What are my odds?

 

[RileyG]

Hey! I’m old enough! What are my odds?

Technically, any baptized Catholic male can become Pope...

 

[Cosmic Charlie]

Hey buddy! Welcome back!

I’m not too familiar with him. Nothing wrong with the Franciscans, coming from someone was educated at a Benedictine university

I think anyone under the age of 65 is considered too young to be Pope? I dunno

Peace

I'm going out on a limb here (but not too far since I was educated by the Benedictine's myself - Prep School Level - and know a few things about them) and say St. John's ?

(Also if my failing memory serves me correctly you and I share a city)

 

[Cosmic Charlie]

Technically, any baptized Catholic male can become Pope...

Well, and, evidentially the 47th President, since he wants to be Pope