The next Pope

[Eliot Wilson]

Because it amuses me to coax people into providing hostages to fortune for which they can later be mocked, I'm interested to hear people's views on the next pontiff.

At the moment, my own view, for what it's worth, is that it will be another Italian, probably Cardinal Tettamanzi or Cardinal Sodano. But I think Cardinal Arinze may be an outside chance.

As for name, I think JP III has to be a strong possibility.

Anyone?

[hr]Bill and Ted beat the Grim Reaper at Twister

Bill: "You played very well, Death, especially with your totally heavy Death robes."

Death: "Don't patronise me."

[Malkier]

Why not another Pius.

[Manic23]

Boniface is the coolest name that's ever existed for a Pope, I want to see it return

In honour I shall name my firstborn by the same

[Malkier]

Boniface would be good. I would like to see a non-Italian Pope. I mean it was Italians for so long it is way to soon to have another Italian Pope.

[Manic23]

But JP2 was Polish...

[RJ Covino]

[s]Eliot Wilson wrote on 00:40, 7th Apr 2005:
Anyone?

I can't decide between Cardinal Martini or Cardinal Bergoglio. Martini certainly fits St Malachy's prophesy, seeing as how the Benedictines haven't managed to stump up a contender for the "gloria olivae" as they've always claimed they would...

[Eliot Wilson]

Once upon a time, of course, Cardinal Martini was a hot tip; I remember when I was in school reading that he could be the first Pope produced by the Societas Iesu. But I sense his time has passed. He's nearly eighty, no longer in gainful employ (he was succeeded as Archbishop of Milan by, I believe, my own pick, Cardinal Tettamanzi), and, the last time I saw him on TV, his hands were shaking something chronic; the same affliction as the late Holy Father?

Your suggestion of a Latin American is a popular one; we shall see.

[hr]Bill and Ted beat the Grim Reaper at Twister

Bill: "You played very well, Death, especially with your totally heavy Death robes."

Death: "Don't patronise me."

[David Bean]

On Newsnight last night, Prof. Haldane indicated that he believed the next Pope would, and should, be someone who would concentrate more on administration than John Paul II, who apparently took more of a hands-off approach to the bureaucracy of the Church, instead preferring to concentrate on evangelism and outreach work. Aside from the identity of the next Pope, I was wondering what people thought about this - what sort of role would he be likely to fulfill? Or, since this will be determined largely by his identity, what role ought he to perform?

[hr]"For what shall it profit a man if he shall gain the whole world and lose his own soul?- Matthew 16:26

[Colin]

On Newsnight last night, Prof. Haldane indicated that he believed the next Pope would, and should, be someone who would concentrate more on administration than John Paul II, who apparently took more of a hands-off approach to the bureaucracy of the Church, instead preferring to concentrate on evangelism and outreach work. Aside from the identity of the next Pope, I was wondering what people thought about this - what sort of role would he be likely to fulfill? Or, since this will be determined largely by his identity, what role ought he to perform?

[hr]"[i:e7t28hc4]For what shall it profit a man if he shall gain the whole world and lose his own soul?[/i:e7t28hc4]- Matthew 16:26

[thePontificator]

I daresay someone somewhere is offering very good odds on that.

[Sid]

I think the next Pope should be George W, he has the same stance on abortion and basically I think he should rule the world, so why not the Christian one as well.

Sid

P.S For those of you are a bit dense, I'm clearly talking shit, however, George W in a Pope's outfit could be kind of cool.

[Grandpa]

Maybe we could have a kind of American Inquisition - oops, that already's happening, isn't it? Where's next Iran, Syria, North Korea.....Cumbernauld?

[RJ Covino]

[s]Eliot Wilson wrote on 01:20, 7th Apr 2005:
he could be the first Pope produced by the Societas Iesu. But I sense his time has passed.

I note he's still down at 25:1 which, to my mind, is certainly worth a flutter.

Your suggestion of a Latin American is a popular one; we shall see.

Also a Jesuit - they get around.

[Grandpa]

"Neither shalt thou set thee up any image; which the LORD thy God hateth." - Deuteronomy 16:22

maybe there should be no pope??

[hr]
God save The Queen, long live Elizabeth the Second, by the Grace of God, of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and Her other Realms and Territories Queen, Head of the Commonwealth, Defender of the Faith.

[Eliot Wilson]

Why do I now have a mental image of a Jesuit Beach Boys tribute band?

Apparently Cardinal Martini now spends most of his time at the Pontifical Institute in Jerusalem, but says that he isn't as active as he was when Archbishop of Milan, citing his age. Then again, if the Holy Spirit calls, I suppose you answer.

[hr]Bill and Ted beat the Grim Reaper at Twister

Bill: "You played very well, Death, especially with your totally heavy Death robes."

Death: "Don't patronise me."

[LonelyPilgrim]

"Excuse me, excuse me... are you there?"

"Who is it?"

"Holy Spirit you know... uh... hey, can we get going, I've got to get you into the funky hat right quick, before Boss Man gets impatient..."

"Go away!"

"What??"

"Go away, I ain't answering today, I'm planting tulips."

"Buh?"

[hr]I sing of arms, and the man...

[Guest]

Posted by Unregistered user Notpope Protestant Boy the First
[s]RJ Covino wrote on 01:10, 7th Apr 2005:

I can't decide between Cardinal Martini or Cardinal Bergoglio. Martini certainly fits St Malachy's prophesy, seeing as how the Benedictines haven't managed to stump up a contender for the "gloria olivae" as they've always claimed they would...


It only matters if you are a Roman Catholic, so what the heck?

Personally I agree with the protestants that the Pope is a blasphemous and unrighteous position. I will return later (tomorrow or the next day) with exactly why.

However, just to top things off and really piss off covino - I rather like some aspects of the RC church services. But essentially the RCs were wrong, are wrong and should realise it.

[Grandpa]

There might be a case for either agreeing or disagreeing with a Pope, but man, you gotta respect the fact that it's now a pretty old tradition.

My suggestive question was simply that - a suggestion to get conversation going.

I would be interested as to why you agree with the Protestants, however.


[hr]
God save The Queen, long live Elizabeth the Second, by the Grace of God, of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and Her other Realms and Territories Queen, Head of the Commonwealth, Defender of the Faith.

[RJ Covino]

Moving away from the nonsensical asides and diversions from the primary purpose of this thread, I return to that which

[s]Eliot Wilson wrote on 10:20, 7th Apr 2005:
Apparently Cardinal Martini ... says that he isn't as active as he was when Archbishop of Milan, citing his age.

This may be the case, of course; however, I sincerely doubt that such considerations would really change the general perception that Martini is the intellectual heavy-weight within the College. (Though, to add an aside of my own, I'm rather sure that Jack Chick would tell you what he's REALLY up to in Jerusalem these days...)

It is my belief that they're going to elect a considerably older man this time around - though sadly not Cardinal Ratzinger (whose unofficial fan-club's t-shirts, I was amused to discover, read: "Putting the SMACK-DOWN on heresy since 1981"). What the Italians say about the age-old fat Pope/thin Pope divide, I think, ought to be applied this time around to the future Pontiff's age.

[RJ Covino]

[s]Unregisted User wrote on 01:16, 7th Apr 2005:
However, just to top things off and really piss off covino - I rather like [i]some aspects of the RC church services. But essentially the RCs were wrong, are wrong and should realise it.
[/i]

I fail to see why your post would piss me off as your thoughts on religion and on the state of the Church are neither here nor there to me.

It bears reminding that this thread is not for the discussion of the merits of the office of Supreme Pontiff of the Roman Church or for issues of the so-called protestant movement.

As such, we should stick to the original intent of the discussion - to discuss the papbile "candidates" for election and whom we would like to see as Pope, possibly with the inclusion of why we would like to see them.