Gossip rules at the Vatican: BBC [View All]

[emad]

Gossip rules at the Vatican

By David Willey
BBC Rome correspondent


The Pope's latest spell in hospital and his deteriorating medical condition have led to new speculation about his possible successor. Yet inside the Vatican it is considered bad manners openly to discuss the papal succession, let alone to campaign on behalf of any particular cardinal while the reigning Pope is still alive.

The meetings may continue, but no decisions can be taken
A formal prohibition against discussing who is going to be the next pope until the reigning pope is actually dead dates back a long way in history - 15 centuries to be exact.

Pope Felix IV was a 6th Century pope who fell foul of the local clergy and the Roman Senate by trying to nominate his own successor. The Senate objected and passed an edict forbidding any discussion of his successor during a pope's lifetime.

Walking through the splendidly frescoed corridors of power inside the Vatican during these crisis days when the absent Pope lies stricken and mute in hospital, at first sight everything seems terribly normal.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/from_our_own_correspondent/4300479.stm