Cardinal George Pell

Australia’s sole representative to the conclave of cardinals who will choose Pope John Paul II’s successor says he does not believe the pope’s death will result in an era of “radical change” in the Catholic Church.

Cardinal George Pell, an outspoken conservative and pro-life advocate, has arrived in Rome where he will join 117 other cardinals for the traditional ritual of electing the next leader of the world’s one billion Catholics.

Pell, who is archbishop of Sydney, told Australian radio that John Paul II had given Catholics a sense of “security.”

“Those who want radical change realize that they had no hope while he was in charge and I hope with the next pope there’ll be a similar sense of security,” he said.

His comments come against a background of strong opposition to many Vatican policies.

During John Paul II’s papacy, calls for the church to liberalize have come from campaigners - including some inside the church - pushing a range of agendas.

Some question the need for and wisdom of priestly celibacy, citing the shortage of priests in some countries and the sex scandals that have shaken parts of the church. There is also a campaign for the ordination of women priests.

Non-governmental and other organizations opposed to the Vatican’s stance on abortion, euthanasia, embryonic stem cell research and homosexuality, regard the church’s teachings on such issues as outdated and rigid.

The church’s view on artificial contraception has caused a storm among population-control advocates and AIDS activists who promote condom-use policies.

Some opponents are backing a campaign called See Change, agitating for the Vatican to lose its observer status at the United Nations. Spearheaded by the “Catholics for Free Choice” lobby group, the campaign claims the support of “more than 700 international organizations from 80 countries.”

“One just hopes that the church seeks this opportunity to appoint someone who is a bit more forward-thinking and attune with society of today,” was the reaction to the pope’s death from the Australian-based Rainbow Sash movement, which campaigns on behalf of homosexual Catholics.

As speculation mounts about the possible tone of the next papacy, Pell expressed confidence that the traditional views of John Paul II would be upheld.

“There will be debate and discussion on what is the best way to present the message of Christ, the best way to live a Catholic life,” he said.

“I’m quite sure that the general line - fidelity to basic Catholic teachings - is absolutely unassailable.”

Pell, who was elevated to the College of Cardinals in 2003, said the topic of the pope’s successor had occasionally come up in discussions with other cardinals.

He said John Paul II’s had “been one of the most remarkable pontificates in 2,000 years of papal history and we will miss him.”

In a statement, Pell said the pope was also “one of the greatest Christian pastors in history.”

In an echo of statements made by others around the world, including senior Vatican figures, Pell predicted that “history will know him as John Paul the Great.”

The title is reserved for popes regarded as worthy for future sainthood.

Australia has two other cardinals, but at 80 and 81, both are too old to vote for the next pope. Cardinals 80 and older can participate in discussions and meetings at the Vatican before the voting procedure begins.

Around 26 percent of Australia’s 19 million people are Catholics.