Cardinal Dom Lucas Moreira Neves Memorial

FILE of Brazilian cardinal Lucas Morerira Neves, who has died

1. Cardinal Lucas Moreira Neves of Brazil talking
2. Still photograph of Cardinal Neves

STORYLINE:

A Brazilian cardinal, who was once considered papal successor, has died in Rome aged 76.

Cardinal Lucas Moreira Neves of Brazil was archbishop of Sao Salvador da Bahia for 11 years until called to the Vatican in 1998, when Pope John Paul II made him prefect of the influential Congregation of Bishops and president of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America.

He stepped down from both positions in 2000 because of his failing health.

At one time, Neves had been considered to be papabile - a possible successor to the pope.

He was a top churchman in the world's largest Catholic country and was considered to be a moderate in a sharply divided clergy.

However, his ill health in more recent years made him less of a factor, although he still had been among those cardinals under the age of 80 who could have voted for a new pope.

The pope was to preside over a special service on Wednesday at the Vatican to honour the cardinal, making a special trip into Rome from his summer retreat in the hills south of the city.


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