What's the chances of getting a more socially liberal Pope this time?

JPII's stance on social issues was very conservative.

Otherwise, he seemed like a very good Pope but I'm anxious about what the next Pope might be like.

Including the former Boston Cardinal, Bernard Law, who was practically run out of town with torches and pitchforks. There were a lot of families in the Boston Archdioscese who wanted Law to stay and face charges for covering up rampant pedophilia in Massachusetts churches.

I was afraid of that. :(

You beat me to it!

:scared:

I miss the '70s folk mass/liberation theology/peace & love Catholicism.

...it seems that the policy toward women and gays will remain the status quo; but some of JPII's ecumenical, economical, and international progressivism will be rolled back.

In other words, where this pope was on the right wing, the next pope will be on the right wing. And where this pope was on the left wing, the next pope will be on the right wing. Or at best, in the center.

Don't hang by your thumbs.

After all, the expectation with John XXIII was that he'd be a caretaker Pope.

and this guy seems like probably hte most socially liberal one.
http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/world/3114807
PS I believe Horos is the opus dei one I heard about.
GODFRIED DANNEELS (BELGIAN), BORN JUNE 4, 1933

Danneels, the archbishop of Brussels, is a gifted preacher ranked as the main liberal contender for the papacy. He has taken a leading role in a drive to revive the Catholic faith in European cities.

He made waves by urging the Vatican to allow women to hold top posts normally taken by cardinals, by saying condoms could be used in the fight against AIDS and by arguing that Islam in Europe has to reform in order to integrate there. He also wants local bishops to have more say in running the Church.

Danneels, a jovial man who gives lively interviews in his native Dutch as well as English, French and Italian, has been a key player at Vatican synods in the past decade.

but he does not have to be ordained. Tradition dictates the selection of a cardinal, but even a member of the laity could be elected pope.