Kenya’s Cardinal JOHN NJUE in conclave at the VATICAN to pick next POPE

With Pope Benedict XVI now officially retired, the focus now shifts to who will be the next Pontiff.

Kenya’s Cardinal John Njue is among the 115 ‘Princes of the Church’ that will participate in the conclave that will pick the next Pope. The conclave is to begin its ‘voting and prayer’ sessions in the Sistine Chapel on Monday.

Technically Njue does stand a chance of being chosen as the next Pope but so far the smart money is either Cardinal Peter Appiah Turkson from Ghana or Cardinal Leonardo Sandri of Argentine.

The two have emerged as the bookies’ favorites because they come from areas where the Catholic Church is still growing and picking them would be a sign that the traditionally conservative church is ready to break with tradition and chart a new path for itself.

Some Vatican experts have however talked up the possibility that the Cardinals might just choose Cardinal Timothy Dolan of the US or even go with an Italian choice.

Whatever happens though, Kenyans should know for sure that at least they (through Cardinal Njue) will have a say in matters.

Hope he too remembers to vote wisely.