So what does everyone think about this. I for one ( I am not the most religious person in the world) feel that the world is losing a good compassionate politician. This Pope like no other could influence countries around the world to change and do thing for the better of humanity.


cerrio

If there were justice, he'd fall into a persistent vegetative state. Ultimately, JP2 will be known for three things: 1) his longevity as Pontiff, 2) his canonization of everyone up to the guy who drives the pope-mobile, 3) enforcing fairly conservative doctrine, including the anti-birth control measures that lead to all kinds of problems in the world. If I could pick out one thing about him I do like, it was his reconciliation of Catholic doctrine with evolution, but that kind of detail won't stand out to most observers.

At this point, it's less about the current pope and more about his successor and the subsequent stance on all the familiar issues.

If there were justice, he'd fall into a persistent vegetative state.

You know, I had the same wish ever since I heard that there won't be a new pope as long as the old one lives. Thus if he ends up in PVS then the church will have to either A: be without a head for a while or B: redefine the rules about what can be considered life *gasp*

If the Almighty and I were on better terms I would even pray for that.

Good lord, I agree with these chowderheads for a change.

I love irony, and as such, will adopt religion myself, today, and begin praying immediately for His Holiness to fall into a coma/PVS.

Heh, it's damned if you do, damned if you don't. Then they'll probably have anti-popes.

Too many priests are child molesters in this world for me to care about the head honcho of that group.

Too many humans are child molesters in this world, and just because the Church has been in the spotlight doesn't necessarily mean that it is any different than the rest of the population; its simply an easy target.

Wow... I can't believe I'm defending the Church *shudders*

Re-open the Spanish Inquisition! No one expects it!

Actually the Inquisition is still in existance. I'm trying to remember what they call it these days.

Junior High

Fil

His passing, when it occurs, will further mark the ending of an era and a changing of the guard. The Cold War era will be over...with most of the major players gone such as Reagan. These players brought about its end from their various positions in a hope that the world could have a tomorrow. Perhaps he was controversial in some ways, but he still brought people together on a common middle ground of compassionate hope. You don't need to be religious to recognise a good man who sacrificed more than anyone here could ever for the greater good.

Good luck to his successor. Not only will he have some big shoes to fill, he will also have to grapple with a human civilization that is now unsure of where to go next and who is the right person to take them there. Freedom vs. the Marxist dictators offered such a black vs. white perspective. Noone is offered such a perspective anymore.

Golly I find myself completely agreeing with Thormir. He was one conservative doctrine pushing pope. But, oh the irony if he became a vegitable of course who here thinks the Vatican will really let us know that? For all we know he's already dead and they are just waiting for the right time to tell us.

He was one conservative doctrine pushing pope.

Nothing wrong with being conservative =). I can see it now, Pope John Kerry, is that how you want it, lol.

Wow. All I can say is that I'm surprised someone would wish anyone else to be in a PVS. That's screams all class. I guess from my standpoint it doesn't matter who someone is, I don't know IF I could ever wish this upon someone. No matter what the differences in opinion you have with someone. Doesn’t that seem a little harsh? I doubt the pope if he were to read this (or more accurately, have someone read it to him) would wish this on you folks.

I’ll admit I don’t agree with all the directives of the pope, but I just didn’t lead my life along those lines. Anyway you slice it; the Pope JP2 did some great things for the world as a whole. Even though he did some things you may not agree with.

The new Pope will have some large shoes to fill, and I wish him the best, but I know for a fact that whatever he does he will piss someone off. Either the staunch conservative or the liberal.

Too many humans are child molesters in this world, and just because the Church has been in the spotlight doesn't necessarily mean that it is any different than the rest of the population; its simply an easy target.

Yeah but the leaders of the human race didnt move the molesters around and try to cover it up.

Wow. All I can say is that I'm surprised someone would wish anyone else to be in a PVS. That's screams all class. I guess from my standpoint it doesn't matter who someone is, I don't know IF I could ever wish this upon someone. No matter what the differences in opinion you have with someone. Doesn’t that seem a little harsh? I doubt the pope if he were to read this (or more accurately, have someone read it to him) would wish this on you folks.

Just to clear something up, to the human being I send my best wishes but to the symbol of the church...well you can read my first post.

I think everyone's wish here who is talking about concept of the pope ending up in PVS for years is to see the church to be paralyzed by its own inflexibility and dogmatism....in order to prove that not everything is black and white.

At the end, we won't see it happen, either the Lord will grant a quick passage for him or fildien will be right.

By the way, I'm looking forward to the new era of the church represented by an African pope, we really do need the church to be even more rabid about stuff like condom use, abortion and cloning....(sarcastic).

Pope JP2 died, 9:37pm Rome time.


And Xaria, the best thing about wishing such an ill on another is that that person doesn't notice. It's the effect on the church that would be entertaining and appropriately ironic; the pope himself (emphasis on self) would be out of the picture.

Cados, surely you realize that there are different types and degrees of conservatism.

I dunno judging from his comment I am lead to believe he is a Pat Buchannon fan!

He's dead, Jim.

. . . the Vatican announced that he died at 9:37 PM Rome time. That's 2:37PM Eastern. . .

Even though I do not agree with many of the post that have been written in this thread I am just going to say what I feel.

I am 22 years old and a catholic this is the only Pope I have ever known to me he did so much in his papacy then I could ever imagine. He has been a large reason for me refinding my faith and finding trust within the church again, and I thank him for that.
I am just blessed to have had him as my pontiff for 22 years and look forward to the new pontiff, I hope he went peacefully and without pain.

God Bless,
Julie

From what I understand he was holding hands with GOD last night. At least thats what Peter Jennings said.

While not religious I did attend a Catholic High School(sports scholorship). After reading and studying Vatican II for a full sumester it will be interesting to see how the next Pontiff leads the church through the next few years. JP2 then a Cardinal of course mad moving speeches pushing the church into it's conservative doctrin of today. Tough shoes to fill in a day and age of mass media. With the next pope even be europian?

Lydia Pense and Cold Blood summed it up better than I ever could in 1973 on their "Thriller" album:

"I feel so bad.......just like a ballgame on a rainy day."



May he be at peace.

"I feel so bad.......just like a ballgame on a rainy day."

That's Elvis man!

That's Elvis man!

May have been performed by Elvis, but was done best by Lydia Pense and her band, Cold Blood. I still own the album (shiny black vinyl thing that was the predecessor of compact dics). :p

The song "Feel So bad" was written by Chuck Willis, and is licensed to Berkshire Music, Inc/Elvis Presley Music (BMI)

The Cold Blood version brass arrangement was done by Raul Matute, Rod Elliott, and Gaylord Birch,

And the Cold Blood version really does nail how the news of the pope's passing had me feeling.