pope elections. part I (how media don't get the church)

The media coverage of the pope elections was as predictable, as it was sad. CNN, CBC and I am sure countless other media outlets around the Western world speculated on whether the next Pope could be more 'representative' , either of the Catholic majority in Latin America, or the growing church in Africa etc.
It's bad enough that such line of thinking has thoroughly permeated our perceptions of politics. Candidates are no longer judged on their merits but whether they 'represent' their constitutiences, be it Quebec, women, Asian-Americans.
But in the words of Paul

"There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus." (Ga3:28)

Therefore all those mundane characteristics are at best secondary and the most important criterion in selecting of a new pope is his ability to lead the church and his authority in ecclesiastical matters.
And that's how the choice was made, I believe.