Just a point of clarification, very little of what popes say on church doctrine is considered infallible. In fact, no teaching since 1950 has been considered infallible. That statement was regarding the Assumption of Mary. The previous statement was in the 19th century, in regard to the Immaculate Conception.

Papal infallibility is a dogma of the Catholic Church which states that, in virtue of the promise of Jesus to Peter, the Pope is preserved from the possibility of error[1] "when, in the exercise of his office as shepherd and teacher of all Christians, in virtue of his supreme apostolic authority, he defines a doctrine concerning faith or morals to be held by the whole Church".[2]

This doctrine was defined dogmatically in the First Vatican Council of 1869–1870, but had been defended before that.

According to Catholic theology, there are several concepts important to the understanding of infallible, divine revelation: Sacred Scripture, Sacred Tradition, and the Sacred Magisterium. The infallible teachings of the Pope are part of the Sacred Magisterium, which also consists of ecumenical councils and the "ordinary and universal magisterium". In Catholic theology, papal infallibility is one of the channels of the infallibility of the Church. The infallible teachings of the Pope must be based on, or at least not contradict, Sacred Tradition or Sacred Scripture.

The doctrine of infallibility relies on one of the cornerstones of Catholic dogma: that of petrine supremacy of the pope, and his authority to be the ruling agent in deciding what will be accepted as formal beliefs in the Roman Catholic Church.[3] The clearest example (though not the only one)[4] of the use of this power, referred to as speaking ex cathedra[5] expressed since the solemn declaration of papal infallibility by Vatican I on July 18, 1870, took place in 1950 when Pope Pius XII defined the Assumption of Mary as being an article of faith for Roman Catholics.[6] This authority is considered by Catholics to be apostolic and of divine origin. Prior to the solemn definition of 1870, Pope Boniface VIII in the Bull Unam Sanctam of 1302,[7][8][9] Pope Eugene IV in the Bull Cantate Domino of 1441,[10][11][12] and Pope Pius IX in the Papal constitution Ineffabilis Deus of 1854[13][14] have all spoken "ex cathedra".

I'm curious if the Church will appoint a pope more in line with where the Church is strongest (ETA: or making the largest gains) in today's world, i.e., from Latin America, Africa, etc.

It's clear that they are opening the throne for the 'Chosen One', who just happens to be available now.....Ray Lewis.

I'm curious if the Church will appoint a pope more in line with where the Church is strongest (ETA: or making the largest gains) in today's world, i.e., from Latin America, Africa, etc.

Possibly, but I also wouldn't be surprised if they elevate a charismatic European in an effort to stem the decline of the church's influence across Europe.

I'm curious what South Park will do with this

I have read some interesting books on the subject, some historical, some fiction. One is called "The Entity" and speaks more to the clandestine operatives within the Church and what they have done since the middle ages to "assist" with Church Doctrine, very eye opening if only 1/2 is true. Another is called "The Accidental Pope" and it is about a former priest who left the Church to get married and have a family, and 20+ years later is somehow elected Pope. Very good novel. Both cover in great detail the secret workins of the College of Cardinals and the Conclave to elect the Pope.

Really? I never saw that. Interesting.

Did anyone else see this awesome lightening photo of the Vatican?

Did a little research. It is known as the "Prophecy of the Popes" and came from Saint Malachy in the 12th Century. Supposedly the successor to Benedict will be the last Pope and will be known as Petrus Romanus or "Peter the Roman." This could result in much intrigue depending on who is chosen to be the next Pope. I believe the prophecy even indicated that the Pope before Petrus Romanus would step down from the Papacy.