O-Trap;1405172 wrote:Methinks GoChiefs should take offense.
sleeper;1405153 wrote:It doesn't. He's not even mentioned in the Bible. The whole thing is made up.
sherm03;1405161 wrote:Very disappointing that they elected another Pope pushing 80. But at least they have gone with a non-European Pope.
I don't think this will do much to bring people back to the Church.
I think you are underestimating the relevance of the Pope today. Yes, I would say that in America. the Pope is relatively irrelevant. Most practicing American Catholics feel a strong connection to their local church or diocese, but little connection to Rome. That is not the case for active Catholics around the world, however. Also, the Catholic church has 1.2 billion members worldwide and the Pontiff is their leader. While the seat may not be as influential or powerful as it once was, if you equate it merely to a figurehead position you are severely underestimating the importance of the papacy and taking a very American view of the Holy See. The Pope and the Catholic church is viewed very differently in America than it is in the rest of the world.O-Trap;1405166 wrote:When do they decide what papal name he'll be taking?
As for relevance, the Pope has the same relevance as the Royal Family. It is a position that bears historical significance, but doesn't seem to demonstrate much more than a very high profile celebrity contemporarily.
You should re-word that...no one who isn't a Cardinal will ever be elected, again. I remember hearing during the coverage at some point that one of the Popes that was elected was not event a priest, and they had to quickly ordain him and elevate his position prior to announcing him as Pope.krambman;1405187 wrote: Of course the Pope is pushing 80. He can't be older than 80 because only Cardinals under 80 are allowed to participate in conclave. While any male Catholic is eligible to be elected Pope, no one who isn't a Cardinal will ever be elected, and it takes a while to become a Cardinal, so they tend to be older.
sherm03;1405195 wrote:You should re-word that...no one who isn't a Cardinal will ever be elected, again. I remember hearing during the coverage at some point that one of the Popes that was elected was not event a priest, and they had to quickly ordain him and elevate his position prior to announcing him as Pope.
In any case, there are several Cardinals that are in their 60s, and even a handful that are in their mid to late 50s.
I didn't intend the statement to imply his PERCEIVED relevance or his connection with devout Catholics. After all, many around the world still view the Royal Family as VERY relevant, and they also seem to draw some sort of connection with many (the widespread reaction to Princess Di's death, the most recent royal wedding, etc.). Most Catholics still seem to view the Pope as someone whose picture belongs with the family photos on the wall, so there certainly still seems to be a connection there.krambman;1405187 wrote:I think you are underestimating the relevance of the Pope today. Yes, I would say that in America. the Pope is relatively irrelevant. Most practicing American Catholics feel a strong connection to their local church or diocese, but little connection to Rome. That is not the case for active Catholics around the world, however. Also, the Catholic church has 1.2 billion members worldwide and the Pontiff is their leader. While the seat may not be as influential or powerful as it once was, if you equate it merely to a figurehead position you are severely underestimating the importance of the papacy and taking a very American view of the Holy See. The Pope and the Catholic church is viewed very differently in America than it is in the rest of the world.
lol, well done :thumbup:BR1986FB;1405177 wrote:I got the first pic of him....
http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/c27.0.403.403/p403x403/482888_10101741583125932_1829591444_n.jpg
Should of, eh?ccrunner609;1405249 wrote:Should of been a American Pope.
O-Trap;1405250 wrote:Should of, eh?
Why? The only reason Americans in general would care about a pope would be if he was American. And I'm perfectly happy with us essentially being like, "Heh, pope...whatever" about the whole pointless deal.ccrunner609;1405249 wrote:Should of been a American Pope.
said_aouita;1405270 wrote:Prob' will be some slant eyed pope.
Good lord, it actually scares me to think you're literally part of our educational systemccrunner609;1405249 wrote:Should of been a American Pope.
I won't even mention the fact that your sentence should read "should have," or how scary it is that you are allowed anywhere near a school because others have pointed it out already. I will just say that what the American ego really needs is for the Pope to be American. Would help us with out self-esteem issues as a nation.ccrunner609;1405249 wrote:Should of been a American Pope.
LOL...you do realize that life expectancy for the entire 19th century was about 45....and that for the first half of the 20th century was under 60?The average age before Francis since 1800 was 69. So yeah he old.
You mean the pope, not ccrunner, correct?HitsRus;1405342 wrote:
I'm not going to jump CC's **** for a grammatical error. I'm more concerned with the classless name calling by those who don't know anything about this man. He apparently is a very humble man of common means. He has stood for human rights and social justice, and is not afraid to engage political authorities in defense of such.
You realize the irony in this? The catholic church is perceived as a bunch of old perverts who fuck young boys. Ever since the separation of church and state there is zero significance to having a pope.krambman;1405336 wrote:I won't even mention the fact that your sentence should read "should have," or how scary it is that you are allowed anywhere near a school because others have pointed it out already. I will just say that what the American ego really needs is for the Pope to be American. Would help us with out self-esteem issues as a nation.
It was. A South American.ccrunner609;1405249 wrote:Should of been a American Pope.
I think he meant a USA-American pope.equus;1405472 wrote:It was. A South American.
I know. Just pointing out though that American is more than USA. Although we are the only group that mostly call ourselves Americans, Francis is the first New World Pope, and the first from the America's. So I am playing semantics.FatHobbit;1405475 wrote:I think he meant a USA-American pope.
