It is the most wonderful time of the century, the time when a group of old, European men (not the Republican Party) chooses another old, European man to head a church that has a membership of over a billion people, with of over 40 percent living in Latin America.

After eight years of his papacy, Pope Benedict XVI resigned, being the first pope to resign in over six centuries. It is now up the conclave, to elect a pope among them…which seems rather like US senators, choosing one of their own to be President.

The Catholic Church has been plagued with controversy over the past decade. It has weathered numerous child sex abuse scandals involving priests. Then there’s its unwavering opposition to homosexuality and contraception, even as a way to prevent the spread of HIV. The image of the Catholic Church may not be healed over night, but the healing process could start with a new pope.

The list of contenders reflects what the Catholics of the world look like and who they will be in the decades to come. Some include cardinals and bishops from the Philippines, Mexico, Brazil, Guinea and Ghana.

The influence of the Catholic Church is not as overbearing as it was when voters thought that a certain Catholic presidential candidate, if elected, would take orders from Rome. The influence has waned because of the Church’s outdated views and unwillingness to modify and articulate its beliefs to promote tolerance and equality.

So, it is now up to a group of cardinals to decide which direction its church will go. Though there is no certainty who the next pontiff will be, what is certain is the next pontiff will face the specter of dwindling power of this ancient institution.