Pope Francis

[Thenop]

Well, if Catholicism was a videogame, Francis was an endboss. Dying at Easter!

In all seriousness, pumped full with steroids he just about managed his blessing yesterday. All we can hope for now is that they don't choose a Yank next.

[David L]

Bah! Taken over the TV schedules - no snooker!

[The Picnic Wasp]

Eternal rest grant unto him O Lord,

And let perpetual light shine upon him,

May he rest in peace.

Amen.

[Nickslikk2112]

Mrs S works at the local Catholic High School as clerk to Governors. The local parish priest told her on good authority that the Pope would be kept alive and his death announced on Ash Wednesday.

Looks like his sources had got the wrong end of the Lenten/Easter period.

[Matt2112]

In all seriousness, pumped full with steroids he just about managed his blessing yesterday. All we can hope for now is that they don't choose a Yank next.

What difference will the nationality make?  The essential criteria are: 1) it's a man, obviously - can't have a woman in any positions of senior authority now, can we?; 2) he will uphold "catechisms" that, for example, consider homosexuals and their private consensual acts to be "disordered".

Thank "god" I had my apostasy from this hideously turpitudinous organisation at a relatively young age.

[dom]

Pope Francis was more accepting of homosexuals in the Catholic faith than anyone that proceeded him.

You're right though Matt, be a long time til we see a female or homosexual Pope.

Must watch Conclave now. Been meaning to for a while

[Matt2112]

Pope Francis was more accepting of homosexuals in the Catholic faith than anyone that proceeded him.

It took until about 2013 for someone "more accepting" to be Pope - impressive!  With zero effect whatsoever on the "catechisms" to which he put his name.

[dom]

Small steps Matt!

[Slim]

He dedicated his whole adulthood to a lie; a lifelong enemy of truth. I find that pathetic, quite honestly.

I loathe Easter for the opportunities it offers for idiots to spout unmitigated superstitious nonsense on the TV and radio, usually completely unchallenged. Today's news has just made it worse.

[Slim]

Eternal rest grant unto him O Lord,

And let perpetual light shine upon him,

May he rest in peace.

Amen.

He's just dead. He ceased to exist. No light, perpetual otherwise. No rest, no peace.

[Matt2112]

Small steps Matt!

Yes, in this case a sign of chronic infirmity.

Have the catechisms made steps in tandem?  Will they?  Nope.

[The Picnic Wasp]

As a Roman Catholic living in Glasgow I'm well used to derogatory comments (however sincerely heartfelt) about the Pope and my faith. It's somewhat strange though, to read these opinions online, rather than reading them daubed on walls of buildings, or shouted at individuals on the street or at a football match. My maternal grandfather once suggested to my mother that perhaps my sister and me should adopt his surname rather than our own, to avoid job seeking difficulties as adults. We would then just have to provide different school names to even things up further. We declined his suggestion.

[Thenop]

As a Roman Catholic living in Glasgow I'm well used to derogatory comments (however sincerely heartfelt) about the Pope and my faith. It's somewhat strange though, to read these opinions online, rather than reading them daubed on walls of buildings, or shouted at individuals on the street or at a football match. My maternal grandfather once suggested to my mother that perhaps my sister and me should adopt his surname rather than our own, to avoid job seeking difficulties as adults. We would then just have to provide different school names to even things up further. We declined his suggestion.

I was born into a Catholic family but my mother quickly decided she did not want a childhood for me like she had. I was baptized, yes, and that is where it ended. I have been free to make my own choices and chose not to join any sort of church or religious institute.
As I progress in age (and life), I have been strengthened in my belief (as an atheïst) but - all jokes aside - would never deny anyone else theirs. There is one condition, no one shall try and impose their beliefs on me either. Some have tried, and than I am not mild in my response.

Sort of an 'ask and you shall receive' type of thing.

[The Picnic Wasp]

As a Roman Catholic living in Glasgow I'm well used to derogatory comments (however sincerely heartfelt) about the Pope and my faith. It's somewhat strange though, to read these opinions online, rather than reading them daubed on walls of buildings, or shouted at individuals on the street or at a football match. My maternal grandfather once suggested to my mother that perhaps my sister and me should adopt his surname rather than our own, to avoid job seeking difficulties as adults. We would then just have to provide different school names to even things up further. We declined his suggestion.

I was born into a Catholic family but my mother quickly decided she did not want a childhood for me like she had. I was baptized, yes, and that is where it ended. I have been free to make my own choices and chose not to join any sort of church or religious institute.
As I progress in age (and life), I have been strengthened in my belief (as an atheïst) but - all jokes aside - would never deny anyone else theirs. There is one condition, no one shall try and impose their beliefs on me either. Some have tried, and than I am not mild in my response.

Sort of an 'ask and you shall receive' type of thing.

Exactly as it should be.

It's why the lyrics of Freewill resonate so strongly within me, as do so many of Neil's other lyrics. I strangely find the more atheistic of his works the most moving as they reach me in a place other songwriters fail to find. We can be spiritual beings in many ways if that's what we choose.

[Nickslikk2112]

As a Roman Catholic living in Glasgow I'm well used to derogatory comments (however sincerely heartfelt) about the Pope and my faith. It's somewhat strange though, to read these opinions online, rather than reading them daubed on walls of buildings, or shouted at individuals on the street or at a football match. My maternal grandfather once suggested to my mother that perhaps my sister and me should adopt his surname rather than our own, to avoid job seeking difficulties as adults. We would then just have to provide different school names to even things up further. We declined his suggestion.

Thankfully England is a much more civilised country  Although in the 1940s my mum chose to attend the local state primary school rather than the local RC Primary as her older siblings used to run the gauntlet of the locals throwing things ranging from fruit to half bricks when they went to school. Funnily enough though, the headmistress of the state school was an Irish Catholic.

And young Matt2112 could still bring about seismic change to the Catholic church as any male baptised a Catholic can be considered for the Papacy. Of course there is the caveat of "within reason" but you never know...