Rocky Road

It seems that we cannot easily get all 117 of those cardinals into the conclave.  One just resigned due to some rumored scandal.  I am sure that the press is going to have a feeding frenzy on that issue, and try to turn up more mess.  Is the hierarchy going to become a real life novel?  My fear is that the cardinals will get scared of more possible scandal so that those who do get into the conclave will try and elect someone squeaky clean.  I am not much for squeaky clean.  I prefer someone with some past struggles,  the mess of life, even rejection by the powers that be.  If it has not destroyed the man, it will make him more human, and I think more compassionate for those of us who struggle with our sins, faults, imperfections, and rejections.  We don't need a theologian or philosopher in the Chair of Peter.  A pope can always hire experts and brains to advise him.  He could even hire a woman for such help and advice.  Fancy that!