Last Rights for Pope...

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 3/31/05 at 4:37pm

Only a matter of time?

[zepka102]

Posted: 3/31/05 at 4:38pm

he's got a feeding tube so, you know, might as well

[brdlwyr]

Posted: 3/31/05 at 4:39pm

Looks to be imminent.

[Liam]

Posted: 3/31/05 at 4:46pm

im voteing for my cosen to be the nexed pope!

hes a preast!

[LaeloftheLakes]

Posted: 3/31/05 at 4:50pm

Ouch. He should get that checked out, Liam. I hear that can lead to a bad rash.

[DBillyP]

Posted: 3/31/05 at 4:52pm

Silly me for thinking this is a news source...I thought you were serious!

; )

[Ellie3]

Posted: 3/31/05 at 7:28pm

Hey, they're not called the Last Rites anymore! It's 'Sacrament of the Infirm', thank you very much.

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 3/31/05 at 7:35pm

To those of us old farts, it's real name is Extreme Unction

[Elphaba]

Posted: 3/31/05 at 8:57pm

he was given the last rights, last night and now is apparently responding well to antibiotics according to the CNN report

Updated On: 3/31/05 at 08:57 PM

[son_of_a_gunn_25]

Posted: 4/1/05 at 3:04am

Now they are saying heart failure. It's probably going to be soon folks. http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20050401/ap_on_re_eu/pope

[Type_A_Tiff]

Posted: 4/1/05 at 3:32am

Pope in Coma

[son_of_a_gunn_25]

Posted: 4/1/05 at 4:02am

And now the Vatican is denying it. I think the press is wanting him to die because they can't resist the juicy news story...

[Type_A_Tiff]

Posted: 4/1/05 at 4:08am

Absolutely. In the mean time, this thread has received about double the views as Amasis' thread on underreported humanitarian stories. I can't get all holier-than-thou though. I try to stay up to date on those event as much as I can, but I follow this story as well. (Colour me ignorant, but what's going to happen once the Pontiff passes? Who succeeds him?)

[son_of_a_gunn_25]

Posted: 4/1/05 at 5:09am

Well about 10-15 days after he dies the cardinals start by meeting in the Sistine Chapel to elect his replacement, but the Sistine Chapel is not exactly the most comfortable place to be holed up. The pope has had a retreat center built in the Vatican with adequate bedding and bathrooms etc because many of the cardinals aren't exactly spring chickens and I believe the only Cardinals who can vote are under the age of eighty. So this will be the first Pope to not be elected at the sistine chapel. Anyway, they lock themselves in with no connection in or out though each Cardinal is allowed to bring one companion. (There have been women in the past.) They put smoke up the chimney every day. If it is black smoke, they haven't decided yet, if it's white they have decided the new pope. It used to be that they had to have a 3/4 majority vote to elect the new pope, but new rules say after the 13 or 14 vote of there is not a 3/4 vote a simple majority can win it. It will be interesting to see how it turns out and the Cardinals are not allowed to say who they voted for. I have a feeling since there is no clear favorite and the retreat center is much more comfortable that it could be awhile before they elect the new pope because they want to make sure they make the correct choice. This is a huge decision as this pope will lead the church in their direction. If he is liberal he could bring about changes that JP2 was unwilling to bring, but it sounds as if he will be conservative most likely. Look for the pope to come from Latin America or Africa. There is a lot more to it that I am probably forgetting.

[son_of_a_gunn_25]

Posted: 4/1/05 at 5:14am

Don't feel bad for following this. Whether you like the Pope or not this has huge implications for the future. JP2 has made the Papacy a truly world presence and I am sure he is probably praying for the world as he sits nearing his own death. He has always been a champion of the poor and suffering. (Even if you feel his beliefs are not the right way to deal with them.) I have a feeling I will get my head bitten off for bringing it up though.

Updated On: 4/1/05 at 05:14 AM

[paradox_error]

Posted: 4/1/05 at 5:50am

I am not a big fan of the Catholic Church, But Jan Pawel II has been a wonderful Pope, and one of the most accepting in the history of the Catholic Church.

He has done so much for the Polish people, and for that alone he is a wonderful man.

God Bless Him, and may the gates of heaven open wide as he passes through.

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 4/1/05 at 6:19am

He is an old Pope & when he goes they will reelect someone young - like in his 70's. This way they insure the nexts Pope tenure will be short

When John Paul 2 was elected they never dreamed he would live this long. It is ironic the man he replaced I think was in power the shortest period (about 1 month) while he I believe has been in the longest

[Jwei123]

Posted: 4/1/05 at 6:43am

ohhh this is so sad! I mean, it has been a long time coming, but still....my thoughts are with him.

[Bluemoon]

Posted: 4/1/05 at 7:36am

You know, Paradox, it dawns on me that you will have a very unique experience when the Pope dies since you're in Poland. He was very instrumental in the rise of the Solidarity movement and the overthrow of Communism there. You will have to tell us about the mood and reaction of the country as events unfold.

It's funny, but as a liberal Catholic (well, except on one issue), I always looked forward to a change of Pope as an opportunity to move forward. Couldn't come too soon. But I really feel sad now. It's kind of like battling with a bullheaded father all your life, then really discovering that you miss him when he dies.

[MasterLcZ]

Posted: 4/1/05 at 8:48am

Sorry, but I think this Pope is the biggest Polish joke there is.

He can't touch John XXIII.

[SonofMammaMiaSam]

Posted: 4/1/05 at 8:52am

Are you sure he didn't touch John XXIII?

[rlbgbc]

Posted: 4/1/05 at 8:52am

With the forthcoming election of the new Pope, I can't help but think of a line from a episode of GOLDEN GIRLS, when Sophia was trying to the the Pope to bless her friend in the hospital, and a cardinal from the Vatican comments about doing a good job in Rome: "You never know when the white smoke is going to blow your way..." LOL

[baddadnpa]

Posted: 4/1/05 at 9:14am

The Pope has refused to be taken to the hospital despite his condition. Perhaps the US Congress, George W and his brother will pass special legislation forcing the Pope to be taken to the hospital.

[ckeaton]

Posted: 4/1/05 at 9:26am

While normally I'm the first to jump on the band wagon of our snarky wit, I really have to beg a little restraint of you all. The Pope is an amazing man, regardless of your religious, or non-religious preference. He is the spiritual leader to many, many people, including several of us here on the board.

While Church policy has been in contrary to many of the lifestyles celebrated on this board, I understand your beliefs, and ask you to offer us the same honor. I really need to ask for some solemn discretion in regards to this story. Millions of people are saddened by this story. It is not something to make light of.

[Bluemoon]

Posted: 4/1/05 at 9:40am

Thanks, C.