Some cardinals already have their list of ‘papabili’

When asked about the profile of the future pope, 68-year-old Serbian Cardinal Ladislav Nemet said he hoped for “a pope who is human like Jesus.” But the outcome of the conclave is “always a surprise,” he stressed.

While the cardinals didn’t mention any names of papabili, some said they already had their list “very clear.”

“In my heart, I have five names,” said Cardinal Gregorio Rosa Chávez, auxiliary bishop emeritus of San Salvador. The 82-year-old non-voting cardinal acknowledged that during these days, “everyone is thinking about their list.”

A few steps away, a journalist from La Repubblica interviewed Austrian Cardinal Schönborn, archbishop emeritus of Vienna. For this non-voter, in recent years the Church “has moved south, to Asia, Africa, and Latin America.”

“We must understand where the Spirit wants to lead the Church. Asia? America? Europe?” asked Cardinal Chávez.

He added that Pope Francis' legacy was “the basis for discussion.”

The Salvadoran expressed his hope for “a pastor who listens to God, who listens to the people.” He also commented that the next Bishop of Rome should speak Italian, but that it is “easy to learn.”

As for the duration of the conclave, Cardinal Chávez estimated “no more than three days.”

“Two, three, four days,” said Cardinal Jorge Jiménez Carvajal, before adding: “We don't know.”