Montreal’s populist former archbishop says Canadian pope a possibility

MONTREAL – Montreal’s populist former archbishop says Quebecers will be proud if one of their own becomes the new pontiff.

Jean-Claude Cardinal Turcotte is keeping his voting intentions to himself, although he says he’d be proud if Marc Cardinal Ouellet emerged as the new head of the Roman Catholic Church.

Turcotte is leaving for Rome tonight and will be among the cardinals who participate in the conclave to choose a replacement for Pope Benedict XVI.

The pontiff steps down officially on Thursday and no specific date has been set for the beginning of the vote.

Ouellet is among the favourites. The native of the Quebec town of La Motte is head of the powerful Congregation for Bishops, which vets bishop nominations worldwide.

In total, three Canadians will vote on the next pope — Turcotte, Ouellet and Thomas Cardinal Collins of Toronto.

Turcotte told a news conference in Montreal today that the former archbishop of Quebec City isn’t the only possibility and that several candidates fit the bill.

Cardinals will meet before the conclave and Turcotte says the discussion is likely to centre on problems facing the church — notably the erosion of the clergy in North America and Europe as well as the scandals that continue to plague the institution.

Turcotte is participating in his second conclave.