A new pope coming?

Post by **Martin Blank** » Sun Oct 05, 2003 12:12 am

Pope John Paul II has been weak for years, but as of recent, the cardinals have been making quiet preparations to elect his successor. There is word of the possibility of the first black pope, by way of African Cardinal Francis Arinze. Also a strong possibility is a Latin American pope.

John Paul II celebrates 25 years of the papacy next month, assuming he makes it that far. What will a new pope mean in these times, especially in the case that the new pope is not European?

Calus · Post by **Calus** » Sun Oct 05, 2003 12:20 am

Time and people move on. I would like to see a Black pope, but a none European pope would be good.

Shyknight · Post by **Shyknight** » Sun Oct 05, 2003 1:04 am

It won't really change anything much except for Catholics. Having a pope of non-European descent shouldn't bother most Catholics, as I don't remember any racism in the Bible. Perhaps some people in Rome will be upset, and may attempt violence... but they are the foolish minority.

Historically the papacy has been a position of power and influence, and has been abused and passed down from generation to generation like a king's crown. There have been assassination attempts and all sorts of shady dealings with popes in the past. I'm glad that in these modern times the Pope has become just what he should be, and that is the spiritual leader of the Roman Catholics. Nothing more or less.

SothThe69th · Post by **SothThe69th** » Sun Oct 05, 2003 1:08 am

The first gay black latino cripple jewish pope!

>.>

<.<

What?

Prospero · Post by **Prospero** » Sun Oct 05, 2003 1:42 am

I don't care much for roman catholocism, but I'm glad to see that the vatican can adapt to changing times.

Bjarni Herjolfsson · Post by **Bjarni Herjolfsson** » Sun Oct 05, 2003 1:48 am

black, white, green. Whoever is most competent deserves the job.

Shyknight · Post by **Shyknight** » Sun Oct 05, 2003 3:48 am

That is the problem, Bjarni. How does one measure the holiness of a person? The person best fit for the job is the person closest to God, and what disinterested observer can tell us that?

EvilElf · Post by **EvilElf** » Sun Oct 05, 2003 3:53 am

Well you really can't say who is the "holiest" person. You can however find someone that could atleast get close to what the message is supposed to mean. Well that is just my 2 cents.

Jonas Salk · Post by **Jonas Salk** » Sun Oct 05, 2003 6:22 am

[quote="Glue";p="174145"]I don't care much for roman catholocism, but I'm glad to see that the vatican can adapt to changing times.[/quote]

What do you mean

EvilElf · Post by **EvilElf** » Sun Oct 05, 2003 7:24 am

[quote="Martin Blank";p="174073"] There is word of the possibility of the first black pope, by way of African Cardinal Francis Arinze. Also a strong possibility is a Latin American pope.[/quote]

Jonas Salk: I think that is what Glue is talking about.

It would be a big change. I mean to go from a line of popes that were always European to people from diferant is something really differant.

Daemonfly · Post by **Daemonfly** » Sun Oct 05, 2003 10:14 am

I don't care much about religion, but it would be nice to see a black or Latin American pope, hell even Asian, etc... doesn't matter really. It would just be nice to see one who would break the current "mold" they've had, showing that race shouldn't be a boundary.

Post by **Martin Blank** » Sun Oct 05, 2003 4:26 pm

Something else to think about, as unlikely as it may be considering that John Paul II has appointed most of those that will enter the conclave to vote for his successor and so set up quite the conservative majority, is that if Cardinal Arinze is made the next Pope, he may have a very different view on things because of his experiences in Africa. The Catholic church has a strong grip in many places on the continent; would it be possible to see the Church change its position on condoms, in light of the AIDS crisis there?

Another point for those of you interested in prophecies (and this is slipping into SAP area), is that St. Malachy predicted a line of popes past Celestine II in 1130, with 112 popes to follow before the second coming of Christ. John Paul II was number 110, predicted to be "de labore Solis", or "of the eclipse of the sun" or "of the labor of the sun", possible references to his coming from behind the Iron Curtain or of his constant travels around the world (as the sun does). The next is to be "Gloria olivae", or "olive's glory". This could be a reference to peace, or a reference to a cardinal of Jewish descent as the Jews are at one point described as a cultivated olive tree. Regarding number 112, according to the prophecy, "In extreme persecution, the seat of the Holy Roman Church will be occupied by Peter the Roman, who will feed the sheep through many tribulations, at the term of which the city of seven hills will be destroyed, and the formidable Judge will judge his people. The End."

Shyknight · Post by **Shyknight** » Sun Oct 05, 2003 4:34 pm

Well for the sake of St. Malachy's pride then, I hope there isn't a 113th pope.

Otherwise he'll just look like a crazy nut for writing that stuff.

Jonas Salk · Post by **Jonas Salk** » Sun Oct 05, 2003 7:43 pm

[quote="EvilElf";p="174319"][quote="Martin Blank";p="174073"] There is word of the possibility of the first black pope, by way of African Cardinal Francis Arinze. Also a strong possibility is a Latin American pope.[/quote]

Jonas Salk: I think that is what Glue is talking about.

It would be a big change. I mean to go from a line of popes that were always European to people from diferant is something really differant.[/quote]

How is that any different? Is it supposed to be different because they might be from South America or Africa, or because they might be "Hispanic" or African? I personally don't care what the new pope is, so long as he is a devout follower of Roman Catholic teachings and is a great leader, as John Paul II is. Where someone is from or what ethnic background they have doesn't matter in the least. I realize it might be seen as "breaking tradition" to select a non-European pope, but does it really matter in the end?

Fixer · Post by **Fixer** » Mon Oct 06, 2003 4:41 pm

[quote="Martin Blank";p="174441"]The Catholic church has a strong grip in many places on the continent; would it be possible to see the Church change its position on condoms, in light of the AIDS crisis there?[/quote]
I doubt it. Catholicism is more interested in abstinence than condoms. They would probably preach more on abstinence than furthering the use of condoms. Condoms are not 100% effective against AIDS. Abstinence is a whole lot more effective.

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