A brown-skinned pope?
In a year that has continued to surprise almost everyone with its unrelenting political intensity, the upcoming papal transition could be yet another seminal moment in U.S. politics.
The media is abuzz about the possibility of an African or Latin American pope and what this might mean for Catholics around the world.
If this happens, it could provoke a profound -- and perhaps at times unsettling -- series of conversations about race in the United States. While polls show that most American Catholics would accept a non-European candidate in theory, what would happen in practice?
An African or Latin American pope could influence deep changes in racial attitudes, cause a new self-reflection among some Catholics and promote greater racial acceptance throughout the country in all sectors. A non-white pope might also spur greater discussion of public policy issues that often intersect with race, including education, health care, and jobs and equity.
New policy issues
Just as Pope John Paul II drew on his own personal experience with Communism to help influence the American political agenda of the 1980s, it is logical to assume that a new pope may promote political and social concerns stemming from his own personal history.
In particular, if any of the three candidates from Latin America are chosen, they may help place some unexpected items on the U.S. political agenda including domestic drug use, third-world debt forgiveness, and fair trade and economic policies between rich and poor countries.
In addition, Nigerian Cardinal Francis Arinze, if selected, might also choose to intensify focus on HIV/AIDS policy and programs, given Africa's disproportionately high infection rate.
Priestly politicians?
Once upon a time, priests were actually involved in the highest level of U.S. politics -- as elected representatives.
Indeed, as recently as 30 years ago, from the debate over the Vietnam War to the War on Poverty, two of the most prominent voices in Congress wore a collar -- Father Robert F. Drinan of Massachusetts and Father Robert J. Cornell of Wisconsin.
But in 1981, Pope John Paul II forbade priests to serve as politicians, and Father Drinan and others left office.
However, in recent years, while not actually running for office, Catholic bishops in the U.S. like Archbishop Raymond Burke of St. Louis and Archbishop Charles Chaput of Denver have taken increasingly public political stands on issues such as abortion, stem cell research and more.
A new pope could, of course, choose to reverse Pope John Paul II's 1981 decision and once again allow church officials to run for office or even serve in Cabinet posts.
It is too early to tell if any of the papal contenders would endorse such a change, but given the historical precedent, as well as the recent trend towards allowing greater priestly political activity, it is a possibility worth considering.
Such a change could have truly a significant impact on the American political arena in a myriad of ways and in many of the most competitive swing states, from Pennsylvania to post-Schiavo Florida.
Catholic.com
Pope John Paul II re-energized and helped to extend Catholic religious and political influence through his regular and proactive embrace of television.
By appearing regularly in the broadcast media, Pope John Paul II helped draw new members to the church and popularized key issues from religious freedom in Cuba to the death penalty in Missouri.
Similarly, the next pope may further extend the Church's influence by strongly embracing the Internet.
For example, if the next pope were to instruct the church to distribute a regular e-newsletter, it could have significant political impact on a number of issues.
Imagine 10 million American Catholics regularly receiving e-mails on issues like school vouchers, the death penalty, or a showdown like the Schiavo case.
The political impact would be enormous and would surely influence the shape of American political debates, strategies and outcomes.
Although John Paul II has been laid to rest and many of the cameras have now moved on, if you care about politics, continue to keep an eye on the papal conclave.
