I am not catholic (despite my confusing screen name, LOL), but, why would someone already in their 'senior' years be selected into this position? And, a conservative to boot? I am a little surprised.

Now, this is not meant to be inflammatory...as a non-catholic, I just don't really follow all that is Catholic. So, it is probably that I am overlooking some major commandment, "thou shall not question the pope choice..." or something similar