Most Vatican journalists now agree that Cardinal Angelo Scola of
Venice will soon be named the new Archbishop of Milan, ending months of
speculation over the appointment to the most prestigious see in Italy
outside Rome.
Sandro Magister of L’Espresso sees the imminent appointment as particularly significant for two reasons.
First, he writes, Cardinal Scola has always been the clear choice of
Pope Benedict XVI, with whom he worked closely on the theological
journal Communio.
Pope Benedict has shown a very clear preference
for giving key appointments to prelates with whom he has a strong
personal tie.
Second, Magister observes, Cardinal Scola has strong ties
to the Communion and Liberation movement - ties strong enough so that 40
years ago, the then-Archbishop of Milan was reluctant to ordain Angelo
Scola as a priest!