Forum Topic

Qualities of new Pope?

Exciting elections for the new Pope.  What qualities should the new Pope posess? What qualities do we deserve?  Should he be an old school traditionist or a radical reformer? Should he be a native Italian or not? A multi-linguist?  Exciting times - can't wait to see that smoke sail into the Roman sky. We give the new incumbent every good wish.

Gerry Tan ● 4767d32 Comments

It looks that the new pope's behaviour during the the dark years of the military junta in argentina is being called into question. that would not surpise me as the catholic church has tried to walk a fine line between despots and the oppressed. Archbishop Romero soon learned where to stand and it cost him his life but at least he was prepared to walk with jesus to jerusalem.

Peter Chadburn ● 4764d

ROFL....

Keith Iddon ● 4764d

I didn't realise you were that old, Keith. Hope you didn't suffer too much under the Romans.

Susan Kelly ● 4764d

> DiscussShouldn't this be a new 'Gerry' thread?:-)

Tony Colliver ● 4765d

You're not blessed with a finely tuned sense of humour are you Marie?  :-)

Tony Colliver ● 4765d

And before the Romans.And after the Romans. Bit of a silly song, really.

M Duley ● 4765d

But loads of us were under t'Romans...

Keith Iddon ● 4765d

Britons never never never will be slaves.

Susan Kelly ● 4765d

"...Mind you, a thought comes to mind - who rules the British now!!!" - asks Jean.Imo, no nation or individual has ever ruled the British. Not the Romans, not the Angles, Jutes, Sax or Vikings, nor the Normans. The Brits have ever been a rule unto themselves - mind you, as colonizers, they've waived the rules at times around the world and in different centuries, but they've always had that individual spirit that makes them quite unique. Discuss.

Gerry Tan ● 4765d

Well let's hope he will also respect the wishes of the inhabitants who have resoundly voted to stay under British rule!Mind you, a thought comes to mind - who rules the British now!!!

Jean F Fernandez ● 4765d

We now have a new Pope....I am disappointed that he is fairly elderly(76)Had hoped for a 56ish candidate !!

Marie Anne OConnell ● 4765d

Duhhhh....the Pope is the head of the Catholic church..stupid suggestion !

Marie Anne OConnell ● 4765d

"Isn't he from Argentina? Hopefully he will be able to talk some sense into the idiots there who want another Falkands episode."He is, according to a BBC report, 'supportive of the Argentinian claim to the Faklands'!!!!

Nigel Brooks ● 4765d

As a jesuit his role and simple living style is obviously something that appealed to the cardinals. maybe he can get rome closer to the people??? After all Church is an institution that is meant to serve rather than the other way round.

Peter Chadburn ● 4766d

Isn't he from Argentina? Hopefully he will be able to talk some sense into the idiots there who want another Falkands episode.

Keith Iddon ● 4766d

I think it was the chap from the Philippines who is 55.

Nigel Brooks ● 4766d

I've got a good feeling about the new Father Francis - he'll be doing the Buenos Aries tango for many years yet.

Gerry Tan ● 4766d

They like them old. That way if they're not a success, they don't have to put up with them for long.

Susan Kelly ● 4766d

What was the age of the youngest credible / eligible candidate?

Tony Colliver ● 4766d

I too wish him well Gerry but I do wonder how fair it is to place such a burden on the shoulders of a man of 76.

Nigel Brooks ● 4766d

He was Cardinal Bergoglio of Argentina. He has chosen to be known as Pope Francis. In his first prayer from the balcony, he blessed us all, that included you and myself. It was good of him. I don't deserve his good words, but I'm grateful and I wish him well.

Gerry Tan ● 4766d

Being younger than 76 might have been a good choice.Guess we'll be doing this all again in 10 years or so.

Nigel Brooks ● 4766d

So that's where all the Barolo's gone!

Tony Colliver ● 4766d

No smoke of the correct colour yet.  If I were the 115 good cardinals(and true), I'd delay and protract the papal proceedings as long as possible. After all, it isn't often the good cardinals get an urgent call to attend the college for a freebee junket, to binge on bottles of barolo and gulp gallons of gavi at the Curia's expense, in order to choose a Pope. So make the best of it cardinals and enjoy the costfree experience. The world can wait. Bless you all.

Gerry Tan ● 4766d

Amen to that!

Tony Colliver ● 4767d

Non-catholics (especially non-religeous people) care because the position wields enormous power.As a non-religeous person myself I certainly have plenty to be annoyed at about the way the church behaves.

Tony Colliver ● 4767d

Agreed Bernadette.in fact, I was going to suggest they go for an athiest this time.(Not as far fetched as you might think - I know at least one CoE vicar who does not believe in god!)

Tony Colliver ● 4767d

Cracking result against Swindon last night, now firmly back in the play-off places and a couple of wins off the auto promotion slots.Back to the Pope. I would, as a non-catholic, love to see a 'modernising' Pope who supports married priests and the use of contraception, I doubt it will happen but it would do so much to avaoid unwanted pregnancies and, perhaps, reduce the scandals which have engulfed the Catholic church over the last 30 years (or probably much longer).

Nigel Brooks ● 4767d

Will you be there on Saturday Gerry...I will have my loyalties severely split? Spent many a game on the terraces at Deepdale as a young larrakin but I want Brentford ,if the game isn't a draw,to win as Preston have nowt to play for this year.They have done just about enough to avoid the drop,but Brentford could get in the play offs at least.

Keith Iddon ● 4767d

Eric, I admit, my using "exciting" is an exaggeration - I should have said "interesting" instead. But with respect, many who are not RC do care who is the next Pope. He will be one of the most influential and respected of world leaders...like Putin, Obama, Hu Jintao, Mandela and Arsene Wenger!Barcelona/AC Milan?  Nah!...Brentford v. Preston, now that's exciting!

Gerry Tan ● 4767d

Exciting?Unless you are a Roman Catholic, why would you care?I'm sure the Protestants, Muslims, Hindus, Sikhs, atheists, agnostics,and secularists have little interest. These groups add up to the majority of Ealing society.Barcelona v AC Milan - now that was exciting.

Eric Alan Leach ● 4767d

All the previous Popes have been Catholics, they should let someone of another faith have a turn.  Plus they have always been men, so they should get a woman in, she could be called a Popette?

Bernadette Clover ● 4767d