Next Pope may very well be Liverpool fan who ‘God despatched message to when stood on the Kop’
Cardinal Vincent Nichols, who could be chosen as the next Pope, was born in Liverpool and is a massive Reds fan after finding his priesthood calling on the Kop
The next Pope might not walk alone through the streets of the Vatican City.
Cardinal Vincent Nichols was born on the banks of the River Mersey and once stood on the Kop. However, it was a spiritual experience at Anfield that led him to pursue priesthood.
Cardinal Nichols, when speaking to the The Times in 2007, joked: “I’d gone to watch Liverpool, (was stood) on the Kop at Anfield and (said) to God, ‘Why don’t you just leave me alone? Why can’t I just be one of a crowd?”
The clergyman, 79, was ordained over 55 years ago and originally served in his home city before becoming Archbishop of Birmingham in 2000. He was appointed Archbishop of Westminster and head of the Catholic Church in England and Wales in 2009.
And he was made a Cardinal in 2014.
Cardinal Nichols was appointed into wider roles including being president of the Santa Marta group and he was elected Vice-President of the Council of European Bishops’ Conferences.
“A voice proclaiming the innate dignity of every human being, especially those who are poor or marginalised, is now silent,” Cardinal Nichols said when speaking on the death of Pope Francis.
However, he added his age might work against him in the running to be the next pope. Speaking at a press conference in London on Monday, alongside Cardinal Timothy Ratcliffe, the pair were asked about becoming the next pontiff.
Cardinal Ratcliffe, 79, told reporters: “I believe the Holy Spirit is far too wise to even think of me for the shortest moment.”
Cardinal Nichols, who will be 80 in November, said he is “too old, not capable”. He added: “I’ll go quite peacefully.”
After the death of a pope the Vatican convenes as a papal conclave – where the College of Cardinals comes together to elect the next head of the Catholic Church.
Cardinals, who are the Catholic Church’s most senior priests, will travel from all around the world to be at The Vatican in Rome to take part in the election, or conclave.
According to the most recent rules of the papal conclave there are 138 electors among the 252 total cardinals. However, only those who are under the age of 80 are allowed to take part in the secret ballot.
There are four rounds of voting, which take place every day until one candidate receives a two-thirds majority – who are then chosen as the new Pope.
