Tag Archives: Sao Paulo

Massive security awaits pope on Brazil visit

Brazil is rolling out a massive security operation to protect Pope Francis during his visit next week to deter any repetition of last month’s social unrest.

More than 1.5 million pilgrims from around the world are expected to flock to Rio de Janeiro for the July 22-28 visit during World Youth Day (WYD), a major Roman Catholic youth fest.

The Defense Ministry, which is coordinating security, is boosting from an initial 8,500 to 10,266 the number of army, air force and navy personnel to be deployed for the high-profile event.

The troop increase was decided due to “the massive street protests in June,” according to a ministry spokesman, speaking on condition of anonymity.

In addition to the armed forces, state security officials will launch “the biggest police operation in the city’s history,” said Roberto Alzir Dias Chaves, the undersecretary for major events.

So “7,000 police will beef up the city’s 12,000 police, in addition to 1,700 members of the elite National Force and units of the civilian, highway and federal police forces,” he said last week.

“It will be a bigger mobilization than what occurred two years ago at the Madrid WYD,” he added, noting that the plan was developed well before the June street protests.

The nationwide turmoil, held during the Confederations Cup, brought more than one million Brazilians onto the streets of various cities to demand an end to political corruption and greater investment in public services rather than in sporting events such as next year’s World Cup.

The unprecedented protests, coordinated via social media, were often marred by violence and acts of vandalism.

And officials initially feared that the unrest might flare anew during the papal visit to the world’s largest mostly Catholic country.

But presidential chief of staff Gilberto Carvalho and Catholic leaders are now confident that this will not happen “given the very nature of the event”.

“The pope will be safe here. And not because of the armed forces, but because of our people, our democracy, the sympathy he inspires since he represents a new hope not just for the Church but for mankind,” said Carvalho.

As a sign of easing concern, the pontiff will not use his traditional closed popemobile but instead two open jeeps, to be closer to the people.

However press reports said a so-called “beija??o”, a demonstration at which gay couples kiss each other on the lips, or massive distributions of condoms might take place along the papal motorcade’s route.

In Rio, the pontiff will tour a small shantytown in the northern district.

But the biggest security concern will focus on events on Copacabana beach where the pope will deliver a welcoming speech for the youth and in Guaratiba, 40 kilometers (25 miles) west of Rio where a papal mass and youth vigil will be held.

On July 24, the pontiff will travel to Aparecida, a pilgrimage site in Sao Paulo state, where more than 4000 troop will provide security.

The defense ministry spokesman said the armed forces will handle security in 10 areas, including control of the airspace, border surveillance, chemical and biological weapons, explosives …read more

Source: FULL ARTICLE at Fox World News

Brazilians accuse police of harsh crowd tactics

Leaning out from a balcony, Raissa Moitta Melo let loose a stream of expletives as she filmed the chaotic scene playing out in the street below.

In the wobbly, cell-phone images that Melo later posted online, protesters are seen scattering as a formation of Rio de Janeiro police in riot gear approaches, firing what appears to be rubber bullets in the crowd’s direction. The camera shakes as several percussion grenades explode with defeating blasts.

“Police corralling demonstrators. No chance of escape,” Melo wrote in comments that accompanied the widely shared video, which she posted on her Facebook page. “Surreal. Cowards. Disgusted.”

All over this country, anger at police tactics has grown as law enforcement struggle to contain a wave of protests that have been raging since last month. Dozens of police and protesters have been injured in the sometimes violent demonstrations, with charges of excess violence lobbed against both sides.

The nationwide protests, in fact, started with outrage over the violent police response to a small demonstration in the city of Sao Paulo over a 10-cent increase in bus and subway fares. The movement quickly spread to hundreds of cities, becoming the biggest seen here in a generation. The discontent grew to encompass grievances ranging from government corruption and high taxes to poor public schools and hospitals.

The protests have since tapered off, but several tens of thousands of people still attended union-organized marches nationwide on Thursday after a daylong work slowdown.

The Rio march quickly turned nasty, with skirmishes breaking out between police and small groups of demonstrators. Officers fired percussion grenades, pepper spray and other non-lethal weapons at people in densely populated neighborhoods. Dozens were chased and detained in a square usually known for live music, and local media said police lobbed tear gas canisters into a hospital.

Melo witnessed part of the Thursday protest. She didn’t immediately respond to a request from The Associated Press seeking additional comments about her post.

Amnesty International Brazil’s executive director Atila Roque, who also witnessed the Thursday skirmishes in Rio’s Flamengo neighborhood, complained about “the erratic and almost irrational way the police acted.”

“It’s clear that they’re out to hit the protesters personally, not just disperse them. They follow them, corral them and make disproportionate and abusive use of tear gas and rubber bullets,” …read more

Source: FULL ARTICLE at Fox World News

50 Iconic Photos For Marc Jacobs's 50th Birthday

By Justin Fenner

Not that you could tell from looking at him, but today is Marc Jacobs‘s 50th birthday. The endlessly influential designer of both his own label and Louis Vuitton was spotted celebrating yesterday and over the weekend in Sao Paulo, Brazil. (Jacobs was photographed relaxing on the beach with his boyfriend, Harry Louis, and later heading to dinner in his new trademark pajamas.)

And after decades of dressing everyone from Kate Moss and Naomi Campbell to Lady Gaga and Daphne Guinness, a little time off is certainly well deserved. In honor of his birthday, we’ve rounded up 50 photos of Jacobs with some of the most iconic women on the planet – one for each of his glamorous years.

At left, Jacobs with Kate Moss in 2012.

…read more

Source: FULL ARTICLE at fashionologie

Dressing For a Cause: The Style Set's Fashionable, Philanthropic Weekend

By Justin Fenner

The industry loves nothing so much as throwing its weight behind a worthy cause, and this weekend, everyone from Diane von Furstenberg and Natalia Vodianova to Kate Moss and Taylor Tomasi Hill got dressed up to support one of three important evenings.

Friday night’s DVF Awards in New York honored women who strive to change the lives of other women around the world. Vodianova was honored with the Inspiration Award for her work with the Naked Heart Foundation, a charity she founded to help battle poverty in her native Russia.

Saturday night in Sao Paulo, Brazil, models including Kate Moss and Izabel Goulart gathered for amfAR’s Inspiration Gala. But back in the Big Apple, some of the biggest names in the business brought out their finest black-tie attire to attend the annual Save Venice masked ball, which drew a bevy of industry heavyweights like Prabal Gurung, Lauren Santo Domingo, and Kate Young. A look at all three events, here in the gallery.

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Source: FULL ARTICLE at fashionologie

Brazil: 26 police tried in 1992 prison massacre

Trial has begun in Brazil for 26 military police officers charged in an infamous 1992 prison riot massacre that left 111 inmates dead. More than 20 years after the killing at Sao Paulo‘s Carandiru prison, no officers have been convicted in connection with the deaths.

Many of the 26 officers in the proceedings that kicked off Monday in Sao Paulo remain on active duty. They are charged in the deaths of 15 inmates in one of several of the prison’s pavilions.

The proceedings are expected to last as long as two weeks and are to be followed by several other trials that will see a total of 79 military police officers tried.

The massacre took place on Oct. 2, 1992, following a three-hour-long riot at the overcrowded facility.

…read more

Source: FULL ARTICLE at Fox World News

World Photo Caption Contest: International Topless Jihad Day

By The Huffington Post News Editors

This week, the activists of FEMEN staged one of their highest-profile protests yet, launching International Topless Jihad Day. Never a shy group, the feminist collective demonstrated around the world in support of Tunisian activist Amina Tyler.

Tyler’s own topless photos on Facebook drew the ire of conservative Islamic groups, sparking controversy and even death threats. In an interview with Canal Plus, Tyler stated, “I’m afraid for my life and the lives of my family.” Below is a photo from the protests staged in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Read More…
More on Video

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Source: FULL ARTICLE at Huffington Post

Brazil prosecutors want ex- president investigated

Brazil‘s federal prosecutor’s office has asked police to investigate allegations that former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva was involved in the massive cash-for votes scheme in Congress that led to the conviction of several of his closest aides.

In a brief statement posted on its website Friday night, the prosecutor’s office says its request stems from testimony given by businessman Marcos Valerio that Silva approved the payout scheme and used cash from it for personal expenses. Silva has denied the allegations.

Last year, Valerio was sentenced to more than 40 years in prison for being what the Supreme Court called the operator of the scheme that gave legislators cash handouts in return for their support of Silva’s policies.

Phone calls to Silva’s office in Sao Paulo went unanswered.

…read more

Source: FULL ARTICLE at Fox World News

Goldman and JPMorgan Are 2 Big Winners in the Banking Shakeout

By Alex Dumortier, CFA, The Motley Fool

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After suffering losses yesterday, stocks are bouncing back this morning, with the S&P 500 and the narrower, price-weighted Dow Jones Industrial Average up 0.52% and 0.47%, respectively, as of 10:05 a.m. EDT.

Goldman and JPMorgan: More for you and me!
Last week the Financial Times reported that Dow component JPMorgan Chase was likely to wrest the top ranking in the first-quarter M&A league table from Goldman Sachs for the first time in two years.

While M&A is a capital-light business, both banks are capitalizing on the aftermath of the credit crisis, in which numerous international competitors are shrinking other areas of their activity. So says Gary Cohn, Goldman president and chief operating officer and a likely successor to CEO Lloyd Blankfein. At a press briefing in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Cohn gave a frank assessment of the competitive state of the industry: “We are seeing the big international banks, outside of ourselves and JPMorgan, really taking pretty substantial steps back from the market and we haven’t seen that in the entire history of banking.”

He had no problem naming names, either: “If you look at what a UBS is doing or what a Credit Suisse is doing and the fact they have publicly announced they’re cutting their risk-weighted assets, they’re cutting their balance sheet, they are getting out of certain businesses, they are getting out of certain jurisdictions.”

In October, UBS announced that it would cut 10,000 staff, effectively withdrawing from the fixed-income business, which was not deemed profitable enough under new, stricter capital requirements. As such, the remaining business becomes more attractive for remaining participants. The process Cohn is highlighting is basic economics: As supply (competition) decreases, prices (profits) increase. He did, however, remark that local institutions were providing stiffer competition in markets such as Brazil, Singapore, Tokyo, and Hong Kong.

In summary: As international banks retreat from parts of the securities industry, JPMorgan and Goldman are the biggest beneficiaries. Despite this, as of yesterday’s close, Goldman’s shares were valued at a minimal 7% premium to their tangible book value, which suggests that investors expect little to no economic profit. Before you conclude that this is an obvious underpricing, you may want to consider that Warren Buffett recently gave up the option to purchase $5 billion worth of Goldman shares at $115, or roughly a one-fifth discount to their current price.

With big financial institutions still trading at deep discounts to their historic norms, investors everywhere are wondering if this is the new normal or if finance stocks are a screaming buy today. The answer depends on the company, so to help you figure out whether Goldman Sachs is a buy today, I invite you to read our premium research report on the company today. Click here now for instant access!

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Source: FULL ARTICLE at DailyFinance

St. Regis Hotels & Resorts Kicks off the 2013 Polo Season With HRH Prince Henry of Wales & St. Regis

By Business Wirevia The Motley Fool

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St. Regis Hotels & Resorts Kicks off the 2013 Polo Season With HRH Prince Henry of Wales & St. Regis Connoisseur Nacho Figueras

St. Regis Returns to the Greenwich Polo Club to Compete in The Sentebale Royal Salute Polo Cup Taking Place in Greenwich, Connecticut on May 15

NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYS: HOT) announces today that St. Regis Hotels & Resorts will join Sentebale for the highly-anticipated charitable polo match. Taking place at The Greenwich Polo Club on May 15, the event marks the luxury brand’s fourth year supporting Sentebale. Prince Harry, playing for the Sentebale Land Rover Team, and Nacho Figueras, captaining the St. Regis team, will compete in an exhilarating match in an effort to raise awareness and support for the improved healthcare and education of the children of Lesotho, Africa.

St. Regis Connoisseur Nacho Figueras & HRH Prince Harry at an “Evening to Honor Sentebale” at The St. Regis New York in 2010. (Photo: Business Wire)

“I am proud to join St. Regis, Prince Harry and Sentebale once again, and look forward to a great day of polo that will help raise awareness and funds to better the lives of the children of Lesotho,” said Nacho Figueras, St. Regis Connoisseur.

“Polo and philanthropy are innate to the legacy of St. Regis, and we are honoured to continue our support of Sentebale through ‘the sport of kings’,” said Paul James, Global Brand Leader, St. Regis, The Luxury Collection and W Hotels Worldwide. “With Prince Harry and Nacho Figueras on the polo field, it is sure to be a thrilling and memorable day.”

The Sentebale Royal Salute Polo Cup signifies St. Regis’ ongoing support for Sentebale. Last year, Nacho Figueras led the St. Regis team against Prince Harry‘s Sentebale team in Sao Paulo, Brazil to raise funds and awareness for the charity. In 2010, Prince Harry attended an “Evening to Honor Sentebale” at The St. Regis New York.

The polo match will mark St. Regis’ return to The Greenwich Polo Club, one of the most prestigious polo clubs in the United States. In 2011, St. Regis held the inaugural St. Regis 1904 Polo Cup at the club, where the St. Regis team took home the winning trophy against the Airstream team, captained by Peter Brant.

…read more
Source: FULL ARTICLE at DailyFinance

Exide Partners With Comab to Produce Batteries in Brazil

By Rich Smith, The Motley Fool

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Milton, Ga.-based Exide Technologies is expanding its presence in Brazil, the company announced Friday, forming a strategic partnership with local company Comab Industria, Comercio, e Menutencado de Baterias — mercifully shortened to “Comab” in ordinary usage.

Together, the companies will produce and service Motive Power industrial batteries for use, primarily, in electric forklifts in Brazil. The parties will utilize a Comab facility located outside Sao Paulo in Brazil for the production. Exide will supply materials and technology needed for production; Comab will supply the factory, local management, and after-sales support. Production is scheduled to begin late this year.

Financial details of the partnership were not disclosed, nor were expectations for future sales. However, almost any sales gains would be significant for Exide, which currently makes 80% of its sales outside Brazil. Brazilian sales, grouped into a category described as “other,” account for a fraction of the remaining 20% of global sales.

Exide shares gained 1.4% on the announcement, closing at $2.87 per share Friday. 

The article Exide Partners With Comab to Produce Batteries in Brazil originally appeared on Fool.com.

Fool contributor Rich Smith and The Motley Fool have no position in any of the stocks mentioned. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools don’t all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Copyright © 1995 – 2013 The Motley Fool, LLC. All rights reserved. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

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Arrow Establishes IT Asset Disposition and Reverse Logistics Presence and Expands Computer System In

By Business Wirevia The Motley Fool

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Arrow Establishes IT Asset Disposition and Reverse Logistics Presence and Expands Computer System Integration Operations in Brazil

ENGLEWOOD, Colo.–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Arrow Electronics Inc. (NYS: ARW) announced the opening of a new facility in Sao Paulo, Brazil, that establishes a presence for the company’s value recovery (electronic and IT asset disposition) and reverse logistics businesses. Additionally, Arrow’s existing custom computer system integration operations in Brazil will be expanded and relocated to this facility.

“The expansion of Arrow’s operations in Brazil aligns with Arrow’s commitment to pursuing high-growth and emerging markets aligned with the growth objectives of our suppliers and customers,” said Tim Kolbus, vice president of global logistics services for Arrow. “The Brazil site will be operated by Arrow personnel and will follow the same rigorous standards that govern our value recovery and integration facilities around the world.”

The site is anticipated to be fully operational by May, providing secure and environmentally responsible asset recovery, data sanitization, testing and screening, recycling, remarketing, service parts management, and product returns management services for a wide range of electronic equipment. In addition, Arrow’s design and manufacturing services for original equipment manufacturing solutions ranging from system integration and hardware solution design to custom packaging and diagnostic and functional testing will be offered.

The facility is located on the west side of Sao Paulo, near many of Arrow’s suppliers and the city’s ports. It is being designed in compliance with all relevant process and environmental certifications including the Responsible Recycling Practices (R2), Recycling Industry Operation Standard, International Standards Organization 9001 and ISO 14001 standards.

About Arrow Electronics

Arrow Electronics (www.arrow.com) is a global provider of products, services and solutions to industrial and commercial users of electronic components and enterprise computing solutions. Arrow serves as a supply channel partner for more than 100,000 original equipment manufacturers, contract manufacturers and commercial customers through a global network of more than 470 locations in 55 countries.

Arrow Electronics
Dawn Small, 303-824-4188
Communications Manager
dsmall@arrow.com

KEYWORDS:   United States  Brazil  North America  South America  Colorado

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS:

The article Arrow Establishes IT Asset Disposition and Reverse Logistics Presence and Expands Computer System Integration Operations in Brazil originally appeared on Fool.com.

…read more
Source: FULL ARTICLE at DailyFinance

NTT Communications to Address Wholesale Market Trends and Opportunities at Capacity Latam Conference

By Business Wirevia The Motley Fool

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NTT Communications to Address Wholesale Market Trends and Opportunities at Capacity Latam Conference


NTT Communications to Highlight Experience and Global Leadership at Keynote Panel and Technology Workshop

NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE)– NTT Communications and its wholly owned U.S. subsidiary, NTT America, the global data and IP service arm of Fortune Global 500 telecom leader Nippon Telegraph & Telephone Corporation (NTT), today announced their participation as Gold Sponsor at the Capacity Latam Conference in Sao Paulo, Brazil. At a time when the telecommunications industry in Latin America is booming and the region is making a concerted effort to lower costs and expand access, NTT Communications is proud to provide insight and leadership on the key issues shaping the broadband and IP transit industry in the area.

The event, currently the largest of its kind for the Latin American wholesale telecommunications sector, is expected to draw more than 180 service providers and carriers from more than 40 countries. Conference sessions are scheduled for March 19-20. This year marks the tenth anniversary of the Capacity Latam 2013.

As part of its involvement this year, NTT Communications also is sponsoring a Technology Workshop on Monday, March 18, focused on Software-Defined Networking (SDN). The day-long workshop is designed specifically for technical specialists and will cover a variety of issues related to SDN, including the effect on networks from a global ISP‘s perspective, itsnetwork operations centers (NOC), personnel and equipment requirements, and the technical implications on partners and customers.

On Tuesday, March 19, Michael Wheeler, executive vice president of the NTT Communications Global IP Network (GIN) business unit at NTT America, will speak as part of the keynote panel “Adapting for Success in Latin American Wholesale” on the challenges and opportunities global carriers are facing in Latin America. As wholesale business models across the world are evolving, global IP providers are faced with the challenge of moving from traditional revenue streams to new models that consider a more competitive landscape and the adoption of emerging technologies.

“With all of the changes afoot in Latin America and the number of devices and customers connected to IP networks growing exponentially, successful service providers in this region will have an established infrastructure of high bandwidth, next-generation equipment and industry expertise to meet the ever evolving, growing demand,” said Mr. Wheeler. “Improving Internet services and bandwidth capacity …read more
Source: FULL ARTICLE at DailyFinance

Brazil's new oil revenue law goes into effect

A new oil law that gives a greater share of royalty revenues from Brazil‘s vast oil fields to non-producing states has gone into effect. Producing states say they will file appeals with the Supreme Court.

The law was signed by President Dilma Rousseff Thursday night and published in the official gazette on Friday.

The new law distributes oil royalties, from existing and future drilling and production concessions, more evenly among all of Brazil‘s 27 states instead of favoring top oil producers such as Rio de Janeiro, Espirito Santo and Sao Paulo states.

Officials in Rio de Janeiro, the largest producing state, have said the law will deprive Rio of $1.7 billion in 2013 alone, endangering preparations for the 2014 World Cup and the 2016 Olympics.

…read more
Source: FULL ARTICLE at Fox World News

From Harvard Slacker to Wimbledon to Buffett's Professor and Partner: Meet Lemann, Brazil's Richest

By Ricardo Geromel, Contributor

Warren Buffet met Jorge Paulo Lemann in the early 90s when both sat at the board of razor maker Gillette and have been “good friends,” as Buffet himself said, ever since. Last week, Buffett went to Sao Paulo, Brazil’s financial capital, to meet Lemann and finalize the largest deal in the food industry’s history, the $28 billion acquisition of Heinz. Buffet’s Berkshire Hathaway will come in as the banker while Lemann’s 3G will manage the multi-billion joint venture. “This is my kind of deal and my kind of partner,” said the Oracle of Omaha. …read more
Source: FULL ARTICLE at Forbes Latest

Silicone fingers fool punch-in clock in Brazil

The Brazilian newspaper O Globo is reporting that a doctor in Sao Paulo was arrested after being caught in the act of using fake fingers made of silicone and imprinted with real finger prints to defraud a hospital’s biometric punch-in clock.

The news report says the doctor, Thauane Nunes Ferreira, was detained and released Sunday. Police told the newspaper the suspect confessed to using different fake fingers bearing the prints of 11 fellow doctors and 20 nurses to pretend they were showing up to work five overnight shifts each month instead of just one. She also said the staff at the Ferraz Vasconcelos Hospital paid the director $2,400 per month to participate.

Ferreira will face charges of falsifying a public document and could get two to six years in prison.

…read more
Source: FULL ARTICLE at Fox US News

Catholic cardinals head to conclave to elect new pope

Catholic cardinals gathered Tuesday to elect a new pope amid uncertainty over a possible front-runner and turmoil within the church.

The cardinals are celebrating a final Mass before they sequester themselves in the Sistine Chapel for the conclave Cardinal Angelo Sodano, dean of the College of Cardinals, was leading Tuesday’s Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica even though he is too old to vote.

In the afternoon, 115 cardinals will file into the frescoed Sistine Chapel singing the Litany of Saints, a hypnotic Gregorian chant imploring the intercession of saints to help them choose a pope. They will hear a meditation by an elderly Maltese cardinal, take an oath of secrecy, then in all probability cast their first ballots.

On the eve of the vote, cardinals offered wildly different assessments of what they’re looking for in the next pontiff and how close they are to a decision. It was evident Benedict XVI’s surprise resignation has continued to destabilize the church leadership and that his final appeal for unity may go unheeded, at least in the early rounds of voting.

Cardinals held their final closed-door debate Monday over whether the church needs more of a manager to clean up the Vatican’s bureaucratic mess or a pastor to inspire the 1.2 billion faithful in times of crisis. The fact that not everyone got a chance to speak was a clear sign that there’s still unfinished business on the eve of the conclave.

“This time around, there are many different candidates, so it’s normal that it’s going to take longer than the last time,” Cardinal Francisco Javier Errazuriz of Chile told The Associated Press.

“There are no groups, no compromises, no alliances, just each one with his conscience voting for the person he thinks is best, which is why I don’t think it will be over quickly.”

None of that has prevented a storm of chatter over who’s ahead.

The buzz in the papal stakes swirled around Cardinal Angelo Scola, an Italian seen as favored by cardinals hoping to shake up the powerful Vatican bureaucracy, and Brazilian Cardinal Odilo Scherer, a favorite of Vatican-based insiders intent on preserving the status quo.

Scola is affable and Italian, but not from the Italian-centric Vatican bureaucracy called the Curia. That gives him clout with those seeking to reform the nerve center of the church that has been discredited by revelations of leaks and complaints from cardinals in the field that Rome is inefficient and unresponsive to their needs.

Scherer seems to be favored by Latin Americans and the Curia. He has a solid handle on the Vatican’s finances, sitting on the governing commission of the Vatican bank, as well as the Holy See’s main budget committee.

As a non-Italian, the archbishop of Sao Paulo would be expected to name an Italian as secretary of state — the Vatican No. 2 who runs day-to-day affairs — another plus for Vatican-based cardinals who would want one of their own running the shop.

The pastoral camp seems to be focusing on two Americans, New York archbishop Timothy Dolan and Boston archbishop Sean …read more
Source: FULL ARTICLE at Fox World News

Top contenders to be the next pope

Cardinals from around the world gather this week in a conclave to elect a new pope following the stunning resignation of Benedict XVI. In the secretive world of the Vatican, there is no way to know who is in the running, and history has yielded plenty of surprises. Yet several names have come up time repeatedly as strong contenders for the job. Here is a look at who they are:

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CARDINAL ANGELO SCOLA: Scola is seen as Italy‘s best chance at reclaiming the papacy, following back-to-back pontiffs from outside the country that had a lock on the job for centuries. He’s also one of the top names among all of the papal contenders. Scola, 71, has commanded both the pulpits of Milan’s Duomo as archbishop and Venice’s St. Mark’s Cathedral as patriarch, two extremely prestigious church positions that together gave the world five popes during the 20th century. Scola was widely viewed as a papal contender when Benedict was elected eight years ago. His promotion to Milan, Italy‘s largest and most influential diocese, has been seen as a tipping point in making him one of the leading papal candidates. He is known as a doctrinal conservative who is also at ease quoting Jack Kerouac and Cormac McCarthy.

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CARDINAL ODILO SCHERER: Scherer is known for prolific tweeting, appearances on Brazil‘s most popular late-night talk show and squeezing into the subway for morning commutes. Brazil‘s best hope to supply the next pontiff is increasingly being touted as one of the top overall contenders for the job. At the relatively young age of 63, he enthusiastically embraces all new methods for reaching believers, while staying true to a conservative line of Roman Catholic doctrine and hardline positions on social issues such as rejection of same-sex marriage. Scherer joined Twitter in 2011 and in his second tweet said: “If Jesus preached the gospel today, he would also use print media, radio, TV, the Internet and Twitter. Give Him a chance!” Scherer became the Sao Paulo archbishop in 2007 and was named a cardinal later the same year.

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CARDINAL MARC OUELLET: Canada’s Ouellet once said that being pope “would be a nightmare.” He would know, having enjoyed the confidence of two popes as a top-ranked Vatican insider. His high-profile position as head of the Vatican’s office for bishops, his conservative leanings, his years in Latin America and his work in Rome as president of a key commission for Latin America all make him a favorite to become the first pontiff from the Americas. But …read more
Source: FULL ARTICLE at Fox World News