Hungarian cardinal said to be on "shortlist" for Papacy

Newsweek considers Cardinal Péter Erdő to be one of the six most likely candidates to succeed Pope Benedict XVI. Erdő is the only non-Western European or North American on the list.

The US magazine noted that, at 57, Erdő is the youngest member of the College of Cardinals, Council of European Bishops Conferences chairman and an advisor to a number of Vatican bodies. His scholarly activity in legal matters is also considerable, the weekly notes.

However Newsweek adds that Erdő's inability to speak English fluently would be a shortcoming for any potential pontiff.

Incumbent Benedict XVI was hospitalised after falling and breaking his right wrist while on holiday in the Alps on July 17.

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