Catholic Church's first woman cardinal?

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception

Rumours rife that Pope Francis is preparing to break with 900 years of history

Linda Hogan, an Irish theologian, is being tipped as a contender to become the Vatican's first lady in red. A woman has never held the position but Pope Francis could be poised to make history, with church historians claiming he could bypass the canon law of 1917 which states only ordained men can hold the position of cardinal. The Vatican has moved to dampen the speculation, saying there are no nominations of female cardinals due.