265 morto un papa se ne fa un altro

Pope Benedict XVI (i.e. Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger) is the new Pope and head of the Vatican State and by the looks of things we will have more of the same for the foreseable future - in my opinion the cardinals passed up the chance to stir things up a bit, probably not quite ready for it yet.

Category
General chat about Italy

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 04/20/2005 - 03:21

As was said last night on one of the newscasts, the only thing certain about the Papacy is that a long one is always followed by a short one. It is believed that this Pope is only intended as a stopgap - though I have to say he looks very hale and healthy for a 78 year old...

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 04/20/2005 - 04:37

Yeah, you're right I think this was seen very much as a stop gap. Word is that Ratzinger has been effectively running the papacy for four or five years now, anyway. In that sense he represents continuity in an organisation not yet willing to move to far from a conservative mind-set. Looks like he'll reorganise the structure of the cardinals, as well.

He does look very healthy, doesn't he? Fine head of hair for a 78 year old, too...

Russ

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 04/21/2005 - 12:18

Ronald,

"It is believed that this Pope is only intended as a stopgap ".

Where on earth did you get that inside information I wonder ? Maybe you know someone at the Vatican who knows someone etc etc etc ?

Let me tell you that the Catholic Church does not change its doctrine with a new pope. It never has and it never will.

You sound disappointed that Papa Ratzinger looks well.

Lets wait and see shall we ?

Ciao da Ernie

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 04/21/2005 - 12:44

dear ernie,

i did not comment on the pope's health or mention that he is a stop gap :confused: - sano did :o

the catholic church certainly does not change that easily but then again lets not forget the immense changes that the two previous popes brought about in all sorts of areas - so while it is logical to expect some basic principles to remain the same it is also reasonable to expect that a new pope can give a different feel to the whole proceedings

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 04/22/2005 - 04:44

Hello Ronald,

I am very sorry about that false attribution.

I meant Sano of course.

I see there is another thread on the pope, Catholics etc. which I need to read

I will come back to it.

Meanwhile Sano, You're on borrowed time !!

JOKE JOKE JOKE !!!!

Ciao da Ernie

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 04/22/2005 - 04:46

Hello Ronald,

I am very sorry about that false attribution.

I meant Sano of course.

I see there is another thread on the pope, Catholics etc. which I need to read

I will come back to it.

Meanwhile Sano, You're on borrowed time !!

JOKE JOKE JOKE !!!!

Ciao da Ernie

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 04/22/2005 - 05:01

[QUOTE=ernie]Ronald,

"It is believed that this Pope is only intended as a stopgap ".

Where on earth did you get that inside information I wonder ? Maybe you know someone at the Vatican who knows someone etc etc etc ?

Let me tell you that the Catholic Church does not change its doctrine with a new pope. It never has and it never will.

You sound disappointed that Papa Ratzinger looks well.

Lets wait and see shall we ?

Ciao da Ernie[/QUOTE]

I am personally quite happy with the appointment of Cardinal Ratzinger - even though I know he is not what so many people had hoped for. My comment on his appearance was just that and based in context with the previous statement re the long and short Papacy. I think that if they are hoping for a short papacy they might be disappointed in Pope Benedict as he looks quite healthy to me - and I am happy to see that as I feel he will need a great deal of physical strength to continue with this calling.

The information re the long/short Papacy comes from one historian's review of Papacies over the past few centuries - a certain pattern appears to emerge. I relay these things as information that may interest some, not as points to argue in any way.

I should also point out that I am not Catholic, though my mother was in her youth. I do live in a predominantly Catholic country and know many people here that are devoted to their religion. In the four years I have lived here I have developed a deep and abiding respect for Catholics as a people and consider myself lucky to live among them. They certainly have a very good approach to life and it is one that I have enjoyed adopting for myself.

My own church has as its leader a man who is this year 87 years of age - he is extremely capable and healthy and still travels the world to visit local branches of the church. I can see Pope Benedict doing something similar in the time allotted to him.

If I have taken up anything here the wrong way I apologise, I am just a bit tired of people jumping down my throat for assumed insults that aren't there!