It is still early for a pope from Africa, as there is greater moral strictness there that does not correspond to Europe, religious analyst Živica Tucić believes.
Benedict XVI officially became the first pope in the last seven centuries at 19 p.m. yesterday to resign from that position, ending an eight-year long and tumultuous reign.
This marked the beginning of the "vacant chair" period, and the process of electing a new pope from among the cardinals.
"Italians want, after two popes who were not Italians, to re-elect a pope from his country.
The Vatican (Photo: Beta/AP)
They have been used to it for many centuries. There are many Italian cardinals, 25. It is too early for a pope from Africa. A different moral code reigns there, a greater strictness that does not suit Europe.
There is a reservation about those who are divorced, about sexual morality, about abortion, about homosexuality.
These are some categories that can hardly fit here in Europe," says Živica Tucić.
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