Arinze's brother among Nigerians to react to Ratzinger's election as pope

(20 Apr 2005)

1. Christopher Arinze, Cardinal Francis Arinze's elder brother, showing picture of Cardinal Arinze and Pope John Paul II
2. SOUNDBITE (English) Christopher Arinze, Cardinal Francis Arinze's brother:
"Yes, it does matter (the possibility of Arinze becoming pope in the future) because it concerns my brother now. I reflect, I think about it seriously, Yes, it matters so much."
3. Photo of Cardinal Arinze and Pope John Paul II
4. Photo of Cardinal Arinze and his parents
5. Photo of Cardinal Arinze and John Paul
6. SOUNDBITE (English) Ajufo Arinze (not related), Hotel manager:
"I think this is the will of God that has happened. It does not necessarily need to be a Nigerian that should be a pope. I am happy myself."
7. Hotel manager watching television as announcement of new pope is made
8. Close-up new pope on television screen

STORYLINE:

The Vatican's announcement on Tuesday of German, Joseph Ratzinger - now Benedict XVI - election as pope dashed hopes for those who were pulling for Cardinal Francis Arinze, of Nigeria.

Across Nigeria, people gathered in restaurants and shops - wherever they could find a television - to watch the announcement.

Arinze comes from the small south eastern Nigerian village of Eziowelle, where he grew up with farmer parents and an older brother, Christopher Arinze.

Had Arinze been elected John Paul II's successor, he would have been the first African pope since Gelasius I.

Although the cardinal's parents worshipped indigenous gods, he grew up a Catholic, following in the footsteps of his brother Christopher.

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