VATICAN CITY, April 13: Conservative Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger has gained strong support among Roman Catholic cardinals seeking a successor to Pope John Paul, but many of them are still undecided, a Church official said on Wednesday.

The German theologian, the Vatican’s doctrinal watchdog for 23 years, is the frontrunner for now while moderates were considering a symbolic candidacy for Cardinal Carlo Maria Martini, the former archbishop of Milan, the official said.

But this was only the line-up for the first round of voting, often a formality gauging strengths of different camps, rather than a sign of who might end up as pope. Voting conclaves can last several days and often produce surprise results.

In an unexpected move, Cardinal Ratzinger published a book in Germany arguing that Europe must reclaim its Christian heritage. Open campaigning for the papacy is frowned upon and it was not clear what effect the book would have.

“Ratzinger is looking strong but it’s still far from clear who will emerge and how the voting will go,” said the official. The conclave begins on Monday and a two-thirds majority — 77 out of 115 votes — is needed to win.—AFP