Ranchi, Dec. 2: Cardinal Telesphore P. Toppo today proceeded on a five-day retreat to Raja Ulatu to pray after denying reports that he was in the race for the highest Papal chair.

During the next five days, Toppo would remain aloof from the rest of the world and spend his time by praying before the Mother of God, Seat of Wisdom at the Raja-Ulatu church in Ranchi.

Before leaving for his five-day retreat, the cardinal denied the fact that he had declared his candidature for the next Pope of the Roman Catholic Church in the event of the demise of the present incumbent Pope John Paul II.

However, Toppo denied and said the reports were false and were intended to damage the Church in India and Asia.

?Two years ago, prior to my elevation as a cardinal, I had been a victim of a similar malicious propaganda which depicted me as a front runnerfor the post of Archbishop of Delhi. The previous Delhi archbishop had met with a tragic end in a road accident in Rome and the Church was on the lookout of his successor. The truth was that I had never expressed any desire to move to Delhi,? Toppo said.

The cardinal pointed out an electoral college comprising 124 cardinals from all over the world is competent to decide on the next Pope, whenever required.

However, he said the cardinals act according to the will of the Lord in deciding upon his nominee on earth. He said it was ridiculous for him to declare his candidature for the Papal seat.

Toppo pointed out that Asia, which harboured more than two-thirds of the world population, occupied the highest attention of the Roman Catholic Church in all matters concerning education, health and protection of the family, despite the growing materialistic and individualism.

?The Church dwells where the people is and since the majority of world?s population lives in Asia, the church cannot afford to ignore it,? Toppo said.