In Today's Catholic World News Blog

NY Times 1958: Cardinal Siri "most likely choice" to be Pope

While Pius XII lain on his deathbed, The New York Times, three days before His Holiness' death (on Oct 9, 1958), relayed the word in Rome, that Cardinal Siri, Archbishop of Genoa, Italy, was the top papabile in a next Conclave. (Extracts from the historic NYT piece follow):

The New York Times

October 7th, 1958

By Paul Hoffman

ROME, Oct. 6- The election of a non-Italian Pontiff was considered a distinct possibility here tonight should Pope Pius XII succumb to his grave illness. However, the leading candidates for succeeding him were thought to be two Italian Cardinals, the Archbishops of Genoa and Bologna. ...

Speculation Starts Early

Speculation on who might become the next Pope started in the Vatican as soon as it became known that Pope Pius had been stricken at Castel Gandolfo. ...

Cardinals Told of Illness

The Vatican Secretariat of State informed all members of the Sacred College during the day that the Pope's condition was serious. This notification was considered tantamount to a notice to be prepared for a summons to Rome for a consistory if the Pope died. ...

Although under canon law any male Roman Catholic can be chosen Pope, only cardinals have been elevated to the papacy since the fourteenth century. No Catholic Church law requires that a Pope should be Italian. But all Popes have been Italians since the death of Hadrian VI, a Dutchman, in 1523. ...

After a Pope dies a successor is elected by all cardinals present in Rome, gathering in secret consistory. Balloting goes on until one of them receives at least two-thirds of all votes cast plus one. If he accepts the designation he becomes Pope from that moment.

The field of candidates for the papacy is narrowed by requirements that, though not laid down by any church statute, are now considered almost "musts." The new Pope should:

¶Be preferably in his 50's or 60's.

¶Speak various languages to be able to address pilgrims and radio audiences in their native tongues.

¶Have not only experience as a pastor but also administrative and diplomatic experience.

Giuseppe Cardinal Siri, Archbishop of Genoa and at 52 the youngest member of the Sacred College, is regarded by many churchmen as the most likely choice of the Sacred College if the present Pope died. Cardinal Siri is a renowned theologian and recently represented Pope Plus XII as Apostolic legate at the Brussels World's Fair. ... (END)

Actual photograph of Cardinal Siri of Genoa, Italy, April 1956, celebrating

the Holy Mass, at an outdoor type venue - were a dove landed on his *head.

*Pope Fabian, who served as Christ's Vicar from 236-250 A.D., during the papal election, was not under any serious consideration, until a dove landed on his head, which signaled to everyone present that the Holy Spirit had marked him as the next Pope.

READ: "It is unimaginable what can happen in a conclave."