Last Rites to the Pope

correct that the gate exists. incorrect in the premature closing...they've closed one door...meaning he's on his way out.

OK thanks...my dad wasn't too specific.

yep...CNN's got it on the homepage. may Karol Wojtyla's soul rest peacefully...his long fight is over.

:Crosses self, bows head and waits:

was that his real name?

that was his name given him by his parents...

Sad days man but well he's in a better place now and well he did a great number of actions for the world.... R.I.P Karol Wojtyla

its something to behold things like this only happin once in a lifetime

That's true, they're looking for an older pope this time, but they don't want someone who'll be gone that quick.

On a side note, who thinks the Vatican dodged a bullet? What if the Pope had gone into a coma, vegetative state, etc.? They would've had to make some very tough decisions, and then explain them to the world. And then let's say he's in that state for a couple years, then what?

well they did get lucky but if i heard right the pope didnt want to be on ventilation and such.... as for this pope lasting so long i think that it will happin again he should have stepped down a long time ago because he really couldnt do his job but i respect the man

WTF?

yes, he did continue doing his "job" - and frankly, he's the LEAST corrupt pope the world's had.

hell...the man was still SKIING in his 80's...it's only since he contracted Parkinson's that he's had trouble. he's still been able to write sermons, letters, etc...he was of sound mind until the end. he wasn't going to step down because he loved his job that much...and it SHOWED.

not humorous, Eric...in this situation, i find that sad. i don't follow organized religion, but i respect the pope more than just about anyone on this planet. saying he wasn't doing his job is the biggest disrespect anyone could give him.

i'm pretty upset about that statement...shows what folks will say without thinking.

well laura and eric i was thinking.. the man could barely do sermons he didnt write anything he made other people do it.. yes i know the pope is a religous icon and all that but i think that when you cant speak or walk that kinda stuff you really cant do any job doesnt matter if its the pope or not.. and i should clarify that i know there will be other popes but i should have said well liked pope i dont think taht there will be another one like this one... and not that anbody cares but i think the new pope will either be from china or africa

but he DID write his own stuff...maybe not physically write it down himself - i believe near the end, he dictated - but he's not like the prez, who has everything written for him.

the pope was a VERY intelligent man, and it showed in the sermons/letters he wrote...

i never doubted the popes intelligence or anything like that.. it takes a hell of a man to have that job...

INDEED...that's why so many people(specifically Polish folks) are mourning his passing. he was a damned good pope...he did the best he could in his position.

first non italian pope in over 100 some odd years

no the popes job isnt just being there he controls the church.. he needs to make important decisions and appoint cardnials and bishops etc etc... each person has their own 2 cents on every topic not everyone sees eye to eye on things.

see your taking this to far..

well I have to say I agree with Corollarider19. He got so sick that he really wasn't all he could do -I think if he stepped down someone else could of done so much more. It is a hard job -and it's even harder when you are sick...so that is why he should of stepped down.

Anyways I wasn't too fond of him to begin with (but that's a different story). As for the new pope candidates - It would be very interesting if Nigerian Cardinal Francis Arinze became the next pope. I personally would be happy just because it broke a barrier that even the US can't break thru Presidency. However I don't see it happening because Europeans aren't ready to bow down to a black guy. It's sick and sad that people have to be like this. All across the news you see that "the west isn't ready to welcome a black pope." How racist can you get? It's a shame really.

He was a good man, too bad Parkinson diease had to ravage his body to the point where he could barely lift it up.

the pope does make decions about church laws and procedures... he just redid the voting for the pope back in 96... now do you think that if he was to redo the voting procedure now that he would have the same effectiveness as he did back when his health wasnt failing him?