'Gratz to the new Pope.

[Toxic]

Anyone else out there who really doesn't care who the pope is?

Nightgaunt!

Yeah, I'm not Catholic either. Oh well.

[VileTerror]

Well . . . he certainly <i>looks</i> like he eats children.

I mean, not that there's anything inherently wrong with that, but I certainly wouldn't have electe- erum . . . well, maybe if the conditions were right. I don't really know him to be honest. Maybe he's just a big ol' softy inside . . . or maybe he's got infernal little gremlins operating his clockwork body.

As the old saying goes: "Time will tell" . . . hopefully.

[Toxic]

In regards to his age, I read an article which said that one of the reasons the concave were considering so many older cardinals as candidates was so that they'd have a short papacy (unlike JP II's really honking long one). This would give people a chance to consider the merits of a more liberal pope and church. Essentially, the article suggested that they were electing a stopgag pope.

Yes, to prepare for the anti-christ pope.

[TheGoobla]

That molestation thing? Way over blown.

[VileTerror]

Sweeeeeeeeeet . . .

<b>DIBS OF BEING THE JUDGE!</b>

[Grabmygoblin]

In Catholicism it becomes flesh, and we consume Christ through communion to remember his sacrifice.

Is anyone else disturbed that parents introduce their children into cannibalistic practices when they're only eight years old?

*pats Pillywiggin on the head* nope, no you're not. if I have kids they are not going to be raised the way I was. they will be exposed to more religious choices when they are younger, and when they are older I will let them decide on their own faith. I really don't like the way religions indoctronate children. they should develop their own views. it all comes down to what you believe.

[VileTerror]

Watch it grabmygoblin! This new pope doesn't like people like <i>you</i>!

He's a damn blowhard. Let's start his deadpool now.

[Grabmygoblin]

Watch it grabmygoblin! This new pope doesn't like people like <i>you</i>!

He's a damn blowhard. Let's start his deadpool now.

what else is new?
*bets 2017*

[Stolle]

Nuff said.

[McDuffies]

I don't get it.

[Garasade]

He really should be given a chance to show his conduct during his papacy. If joining Hitler Youth was any kind of stain to his record, it is probably very much an issue that will set back some progress made with Jews over the tenure of John Paul II. Not only that, he was stationed as an anti-aircraft unit but never have claimed to have fired in anger before eventual desertion.

His stance on contraception, homosexuality, role of women in the Church are the exact replica of what the late John Paul II had espoused. That does not bode well for liberal Catholics, and as someone already mentioned could hinge on Benedict XVI's example in his papacy how the christendom is desperate for a change in its direction should there come another opportunity. Or some traditionalists may say that his continued adherence to the doctrines of the church would cull the non-abiding nonbelievers from the fundamental core abetted mostly by Opus Dei, Legionnaire of Christ, and other similar groups. One thing is sure for one, that this pope has garnered a lot of controversy even before his official invocation as pope has passed. A lot of work needs to be done.

It is believed that in the Church that the will of God has essentially picked the pope, regardless of how modern thinking has influenced our perspective (and therefore that of the Conclave), the choice is open to interpretation from all sides. Benedict XVI requests that people pray for him for a successful and fruitful tenure as he works in the Lord's vineyard. Maybe God works in mysterious ways, as the Church further defines what the 'ideal' christian should be.

To me, he just seemed an affable old man. Maybe such initial perception of glum and grim looking disposition proved enough contrast for those who experienced in him in his private moments to laud his personality.

But one thing I learned in my brief life is that no one is perfect. Everyone harbours one terrible secret or more that we'd like to shield ourselves and others from. I hope Benefict XVI's such 'dirt' consists of only what has been revealed of his days in youth.

[LibertyCabbage]

[Grabmygoblin]

.....

[Sput]

...WOAH :o

[KittyKatBlack]

OMG! Send that to the Daily Show!

[Garasade]

uncanny...
if that is supposed to be his light side, i would be curious as to what his dark side would look. He would have to wear a mask.

[Kirb]

Oh... my... GOD.

The Vatican Strikes Back.

[Nyke]

And to further deficate on the Popehood:

[McDuffies]

*laughs at the other people's religious lider*

[Luprand]

Luprand probably could explain this better.

*much blushing goes here*

Er, as far as Christianity goes, members of that oddball little Jewish sect were first recorded as being called Christians in Antioch during the days of the apostle Paul (Oddly, I just took a New Testament final exam today ...). At some point, there was a schism between church leaders in Rome and in Constantinople, leading to the formations of the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches. So Christianity predates and encompasses Catholicism, as well as the Orthodoxes, Lutherans, Anglicans, Calvinists, Mormons, Fundamentalists, etc.

--Sij