Its Black and White.

Perusing the internet one discovers that a vast majority of the population believes that they know exactly what the Catholic Church needs. 

The Church needs someone liberal and conservative, strict and compassionate, quiet and gregarious, loving and stern, passionate and calm, and he must be African, South American, European, but not American. 

Oh, this man must be progressive in the face of modern moral dilemmas and traditional in the face of modern liturgical dilemmas. He must stand proudly Catholic, profess the one, true, faith - but let everyone else live their lives in peace - when he isn't busy guiding over a billion people. He should be young with aged wisdom, never wear red shoes, and speak at least seven languages. 

Marriage and life must be a top priority, but he should "stay out of the bedroom." Immigration reform should be another top priority, but he should stick with the rules. The horrific scandal must be a top priority, so there should be women priests. Liturgy must be a top priority, what's wrong with it anyway? Education, Mission, War, Discrimination, all must be a top priority. At the bottom of the priority list, but not too far down, he must choose a name. 

Of course, even when considering the true qualities needed to be a holy Pope, no one man can fit the profile without the grace of the Holy Spirit. Finding him among the 1.18 billion Catholics is a chore, much less 115 Cardinals. That's why we rejoice that he isn't really running the ship - just helping to steer it in the right direction. He's a vicar - in place - of Christ. The visible presence, an instrument. 

So we pray that all our Church fathers, the Cardinals in particular, are also instruments of His love and Wisdom. After all, the only thing black and white in this whole matter - is the smoke.