Australian are urging Cardinal George Pell to throw his mitre into the ring and become the nation’s first pope. But the bookies still think the 71-year-old Victorian needs divine intervention to land the top job. “The white smoke’ll just be the barbie,” one tweeted, referring to the smoke that shoots from the Sistine Chapel once a new pontiff is selected after the secret Conclave ballot. While Cardinal George Pell is considered a $41 outsider, observers said yesterday he was “not without a chance” to replace the 85-year-old Pontiff, who is stepping down because of ill health. --Bruce McDougall, Herald Sun, 12 February 2013
