The Pope and The Issues

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WOLO) — “There are 1.2 billion Catholics in the world today and the Pope is the spiritual leader of the Catholic Church,” says Dr. Ed Smither, Professor of Intercultural Studies, Church History and Global Christianity at Columbia International University. It’s a process that can take multiple votes per day. But, Tuesday’s single vote did not bring the announcement of a new leader of the Roman Catholic Church. There are currently ten contenders, among then an American Cardinal. However, Smither says it’s unlikely the Cardinals will elect an American Pope. Instead, he says the Pontiff will likely be from Europe. The Pope, who serves as the leader of the Roman Catholic Church, has a voice that resounds on a global level. “The Pope is a spiritual leader, if you will, a pastor of the Catholic Church but also pretty key in world affairs and influencing moral issues and even political issues,” says Smither In the past, Pontiffs have worked toward world peace. “Each of the last Popes have sought to make peace in places like the Middle East,” says Smither Previous Popes have also taken a stance on now current hot topics in the United States. “Popes would certainly argue that abortion is not compatable with the world view of the church or the scriptures. And certainly, you know, marriage is between a man and a woman. Although, the Pope himself is not married,” says Smither But the stance of the next leader of the Roman Catholic Church remains to be heard, as the first day of Conclave comes to an end without a new Pope.