Cardinal Scola seen likely choice for Milan appointment
June 10, 2011
The Congregation for Bishops has voted to recommend the appointment of Cardinal Angelo Scola of Venice as the next Archbishop of Milan, according to two noted Italian journalists specializing in Vatican affairs.
At a June 9 meeting, the Congregation chose Cardinal Scola from a list of three leading candidates, report Andrea Tornielli and Paolo Rodari. That recommendation will now be presented to Pope Benedict XVI.
Although the Pope is not bound by the Congregation's choice, Vatican-watchers believe that it is likely Pope Benedict will agree with the selection of Cardinal Scola, with whom he has a long history of friendship.
The appointment has been heavily anticipated in Italy, because Milan is the largest archdiocese in the country and carries enormous prestige. St. Ambrose and St. Charles Borromeo are among the former leaders of the Church in Milan. In the 20th century, two archbishops of Milan later became Popes (Pius XI and Paul VI), and two have been beatified (Andrea Ferrari and Alfredo Schuster). The current archbishop, Cardinal Dionigi Tettamanzi, is retiring at the age of 77; the appointment of his successor is expected this month.
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