VATICAN CITY, April 18 (UPI) -- One of the candidates seen as an early favorite to become the new pope of the Roman Catholic Church was reportedly a member of the Nazi party.
Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, 78, joined the young Nazi movement in Bavaria in 1941 at the age of 14 and then joined an anti-aircraft unit protecting a BMW factory two years later, The Mirror reported Monday.
His strong conservative leanings have led to him being nicknamed "The Panzer Cardinal" and "God's Rottweiler," the British newspaper said.
The conclave of 115 cardinals was to begin their secret session to elect a new pope late Monday afternoon and Ratzinger is one of the early favorites.
Other frontrunners include 72-year-old conservative Nigerian, Francis Arinze, who if elected, would be the first black pope; Brazilian Claudio Hummes, 70, who is conservative on doctrine but socially progressive; conservative Italian Dionigi Tettamanzi, 71; and Belgian moderate Godfried Daneels, 71.
Pope John Paul died April 2 and was buried beneath St. Peter's Basilica a week later.
