From Agence France Presse: “Vatican City (AFP) – Six non-European Roman Catholic prelates will join the Vatican’s College of Cardinals in November, Pope Benedict XVI said Wednesday, in a move which may affect the election of the future pope.

“… Vatican watchers had not expected there to be another consistory until next year and the surprise announcement sparked concern that the 85-year-old pontiff’s health may be worse than thought.

“…The new cardinals will be the American James Michael Harvey, Lebanon’s Bechara Boutros al-Rahi, India’s Baselios Cleemis Thottunkal, Nigeria’s John Onaiyekan, Colombia’s Ruben Salazar Gomez and Filipino Luis Antonio Tagle.”

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The Shoes of the Fisherman (1968 film), text & photos from imdb.com

The Elder Pope            (played by the late Sir John Gielgud): There is a legend about you. That once you were asked to deny the faith, and they tied up seven priests and shot them, shot them before your eyes. And still you would not deny the faith. Is that story true?

Kiril Lakota (played by the late Anthony Quinn) : I try not to look back on that, or other days, Holiness.

The Elder Pope: God is with you, my Brother. I believe that God has sent you. Trust us to make the best use of you. But first, you must be honored.

[Hold up the red cap of a cardinal]

The Elder Pope: Kneel. 

[Lakota kneels] 

The Elder Pope: You are created cardinal-priest in the title of Saint Athanasius.

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Cardinal Rinaldi: [standing before the cardinals in the conclave] My brothers. My brothers, we have already failed seven times to reach an election. I stand now to claim a right under canon law. In all humility, I proclaim to you my belief that there is among us a man already marked by God to sit in the chair of St. Peter. Like the first of the apostles this man has suffered prison stripes for the faith. The hand of God has led him out of bondage to join us in this conclave. I announce him as my candidate and dedicate to him my vote and my obedience. Kiril Cardinal Lakota.

Kiril Lakota: [Stunned. Slowly rises] Thank you, Eminence. But I – I cannot consent to it.

Cardinal Rahamani: [after a moment, rises] I too proclaim him.

Asian Cardinal: [Rises] I also proclaim him.

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George Faber: It’s the Russian. Kiril Lakota. They’ve elected a Russian Pope.