Presumably a black Pope wouldn't be in favour of unrestricted abortion, like Obama?

Kieron Wood, Dublin, Ireland

This black white issue is driving me crazy. There is only one race, the human race. I don't care if the next pope is yellow,provided he is intelligent .

iain rae, tunbridge wells,

First black pope??? What about Victor (183-203 CE), Miliades (311 -314CE) and Gelasius (492-496 CE )? It's happened before!
Anyway the world congratulates BARAK OBAMA!

Rachele Vernon, Kingston, Jamaica

If we're going to pick someone just because of race, why not a hispanic? They have been so dedicated to the the church and very faithful......and look at the numbers.
(For the record, I'm Irish).
Do we pick a black just because it's fashionable? Get real.

Rayford , Lake Charles, LA

To ALL of My brother's and sister's however we may feel, let us pray, ask for understanding, and thank Almighty GOD that "WE" are still here and have tomorrow to lOOk forward to so that "WE" may ALL see tomorrow's change, if "WE" work for it. If you know better, do better. C H A N G E........

Carmen Daniels, Evansville, USA

Leaving aside the birth of Christ and the death of Christ, nothing became the Roman Catholic Church more than the inclusion (by whatever means) of Latin America. Nothing.
In deciding the identity of future popes you may go by skin color if that is important to you, but justice lies here.

John Carty, Medellin, Colombia

The abortion issue is not so much about religion, the love of life & the living or about the fear of God but more about politics.

What makes it so complex is pro life(ists) usually don't mind killing anything else and don't mind sending their sons/daughters to war to get killed or do the killing

Jason Walker, Oxford , UK

On both topics, and specifically regarding our new President: I pray that God will guide him, that he will open his heart to God's message for him. It is my hope that all of our fears regarding his unknown past, unproven leadership ability and inexperience will be proven wrong.

Donna, Burleson, USA

why does the guys race make it okay to overlook the fact they he would approve abortions its getting where you cant trust your own church thats way you better be carefull what you follow i am catholic and i know what God wants from me the catholic church needs to get rid of libreal priest and bishop

john woodson, ark, usa

re the black pope, hahahahahaha! That's about as funny as one of the news media comparing Michelle Obama to Jackie Kennedy! I thought only SNL made funnies!

bella, seattle, USA

Huh??? There have been many black popes in history. He would have to turn back time at least 1700 years to be the first. I am a professor of early Church history at a Jesuit University Seminary.

Fr. Joseph, Imus, Cavite, Philippines

the head of the Society of Jesus[Jesuits] has been known as the Black Pope went to minor seminary with Mr gregory -he's trying to sell himself as a potential papal candidate-was always self promoting himself-a perfect example of a clerical politician

tom mcmahon, makanda,

Good job, shae Jobe.
I AM a practicing Catholic myself, and if an African-American or other black is chosen as POPE because he is black, then I am so disappointed. And as a Catholic, I could not and would not ever vote for a candidate that believes abortion is a viable alternative++++++++++

Donna, Griffin, USA

The Head of the Jesuits is known as "The Black Pope" after the colour of his robes. There hasn't ever been a Jesuit Pope- perhaps this is Vatican code for something completely different!

Chris Gillibrand, Brussels, Belgium (in exile)

Robert, "Obama is not Pro-Abortion. He is pro-choice" do you think you are fooling god? play with words all you want, the intent is still there.

Lonnie Roth, hillsboro,

This archbishop is ignorant at best. The first back pope was elected before 300 AD and there have been at least three popes so far from Africa. So, while Obama might be "the one" or the "chosen one" or "this one", the papacy was and is more advanced - while being backwards regarding other issues.

Bapcha Murty, Aptos, CA, USA

It was not a mistake to elect a black president; it WAS a mistake to elect this one. Anyone who would condone a refusal to attempt to save the life of a baby, still alive after a botched abortion, has a flawed conscience; perhaps he has had no real training in ethics. He needs to go back to school!

Nancy, Wickenburg, USA

my understanding is that there have already been black popes although that was back in the early church

pat, IN,

or a female pope, i still do not understand this female demonising by the church. also, People forget that jesus was from the middle east & his apostles would've been dark skinned.

heath, surrey, england

What? I thought Obama just got elected as pope. Oh wait, that's right, he's "the Messiah." My bad.

Scott, Sacramento, CA, USA

Another black pope is as inevitable as another black president -- How about
Connie Rice?

Ken, San Diego, USA

Robert-

A woman should have every right to do with HER body as she sees fit. This does not mean she has the right to do whatever she pleases with her child's body.

I look at it this way.. I'm pro-choice as well, as we all have the choice to have sex, or not. That is the choice.

Pablo, Maine, USA

When there is a black prophet, seer and revelator of the church of latter day saints, that will truly be the day...

Shaun, Syracuse, USA

To Robert, from Dallas:

If you arm somebody, give them the money drop schedule for the bank, provide a getaway car, and then pay for his lawyer once he's caught, you're not "pro-bank robbery choice", you're pro-bank robbery.

Stephen, Detroit, USA

As a christian I was taught to love all my neighbors, despite the issues or the choices they make in life. We all are people of God. Robert Byrd was not Pro-Slavery. He was pro-choice, which means a person has a right to choose.

Roberta, Dallas, TX

As a christian I was taught to love all my neighbors, despite the issues or the choices they make in life. We all are people of God. President elect Obama is not Pro-Abortion. He is pro-choice. which means a woman has a right to due what she chooses with her body.

Robert, Dallas, US.

As a catholic I am not excited by the election of the Obama Biden ticket since President Elect Obama has promised to pass the Freedom of Choice act which disallows parental notification and uses our tax dollars to fund abortions. VP elect Biden a catholic has voted to support abortions.

Dan Pirrello, Ledgewood,

I certainly hope for an African Pope.
Unlike American Bishops, the Africans are rigorously Orthodox and vocal in defending the faith and would have no qualms about chastising Obama for supporting the culture of death.

Michael Zboray, Montvale , usa

A "leading black American Catholic" and he is UNAWARE that there have been THREE African Popes and that a future one would be number 4?

He doesn't appear to be leading from the front of the pack when it comes to knowledge of Church History, does he?

G. Phelan, Chicago, USA

Being elected the head of the USCCB is no great accomplishment. It's more a political gesture than anything. Too bad an archbishop doesn't have the self-knowledge or self-honesty to acknowledge this, but then again, most Catholics voted for someone who is radically pro-abortion.

Ryan, St. Paul, USA

Looking at Church history, there have been 3 black popes, starting with Pope St. Victor (189AD), followed by Pope
St Militiades (311 AD) & Pope St Gelasius (492AD)
Also if the emphasis is not necessarily on "black" pope as "non-white" pope, St Peter, a Middle Eastern Jew, should be mentioned.

Tom Docherty, Chicago,

the pope and bishops congratulating obama....? i don't understand. obama is the most pro abortionist in the world.
we already know that the catholic church has turned a blind eye to illegal immigrants. and now embracing an abortionist?
just what is one supposed to believe......

ken anderson, caarlsbad, us

Enough with this black thing - oh, I forgot it is media thing. They are soo... excited if anyone who is black does anything good.
Who cares if he is black, white, pink or brown. Can he do the job. We wait to see whether Obama can perform. Probably he can, but not because he is or is not black

EllenO, Toronto, Canada

The first black pope? C'mon doesn't this writer have an editor? Did no one ever even show him how to use Google? Two were African born, and one born to Africans in Rome. Victor I (189-199), Miltiades (311-314), and Gelasius I (492-496). Many were later depicted with caucasion features, but were dark

Thomas, Cabarete, Dominican Republic

Instead of America becoming "color blind" it now only seeks to promote skin color - in this case being black somehow is charateristic that determines qualification. And using the term African American only divides us even more. You are American - period.

Anne, Atlanta, GA, USA

Aside from the fact that the Catholic Church has already had African popes and aside from the fact the Church currently has many African cardinals, bishops and priests, I find it sick that the Archbishop would be so eager for the election of the next pope as it would mean the death of Benedict XVI.

Adrienne, Virginia, USA

Christopher-
As a conservative Catholic, I understand your position. B.Obama is not what one would call an ideal catholic choice. On the other hand, hopefully, in the very least, this election signals to the world that the U.S. is moving beyond the racial tensions that have so defined our past.

Justin, San Antonio, USA

We should be talking about the Black Pope who controls the finances of the Catholic church in "neutral Swizterland", how him through his Jesuits impact Western Civilization and why the East hates the West. The Catholic institutions took centuries of Intellectual wealth from the West.

Dylan, St. Louis, MUSA

Actually, Cardinal Arinze is Prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments. The head of the CDF is The U.S.'s own Cardinal Levada. The point, however, is well taken. Among the curia one finds two Italians, a Pole, a Brazilian, an Indian, a Lithuanian, etc.

Anthony Pagliarini, Rome, Italy

How on earth can Archbishop Gregory say it is "a great step forward for humanity" to elect a man (of any color) with a 100% pro-abortion record, who voted against assistance for unborn children who survive abortions, and who seeks to repeal every state and federal restriction on abortion?

Christopher, Michigan, USA

Not to mention the fact that there have technically already been three African Popes... Pope Victor I, Pope Miltiades, and Pope Gelasius I. Aside from this, I' m not sure one can really make the argument that the Universal Church is taking its cues on ethic diversity from the United States.

James , Madtown, USA

Wasn't Pope Victor an African Pope? I'm pretty sure there's already been a "Black Pope"...

Rich, , USA

Please remember that the black populations of the world are not the only ones that have been oppressed in history. It would be appropriate for him to add that to have a Latino or an Asian or many others would be just as significant. But race should not be a factor in any election.

H Cochran, Kennesaw, United States

Nothing like a well "researched" article. Right now the second highest office at the vatican is held by an African. Perhaps the writers beef is that there is not an african-american? Cardinal Arinze is the head of the CDF. Have your crack squad of researchers check that out.

shae Jobe, AIA, Austin, United States