Pope John Paul II

Well, saying that abortion is wrong when the government allows it isn't really overrulling. It's more that the government will let you do something, but it's still wrong by your religion. To override the government would be if the Pope said stealing was okay or something- something that would go against the law.

Oooh the pope helped to try to get world peace? Wow I like him a little. Jack, so you knew everything about him before you made that comment?

He doesn't need to know everything about him Emma, he's the leader of my ex church and I know nothing about him. I would say I agree with Jack and say that I didn't care but I actually feel really sad that he's dying because he seems like he's been such a great pope.

Jack, so you knew everything about him before you made that comment?

When did I say I knew everything? I just said I didn't care because I don't see how it affects me, personally. I didn't know specifically the things he had done, I just knew he had been a good Pope, but if there's a bad Pope next, it won't affect me. Catholicism does not have a great influence in Britain.

omg...I cant belive some people dont know who the Pope is (emma this does not goes to you only) Its quite sad even though Im othodox, the pope has declared more saints than the rest of the popes behind him. Btw, for those who dont know, e from Poland A new pope will be announced in 10-12 days. That will be very exciting. I hope they wont declare some power hungy zealot or somehting.

It all depends on when he dies, there's 9 days of mourning first then theres all the votes it could be at least 3 weeks I think. And there could be the teeniest tiniest of chances he'll pull through. They've been saying these are his last few hours since last night, I like to try and be positive I know it's unrealistic but don't flame me for it.

Personally, I am extremely frustrated with him that he didn't step down before this. I know he was a great pope, but when you're barely functioning and can't make public appearances because you're so old, don't you think you ought to give the job to someone younger and more able to handle it?

It disgusts me. What if the pope was suddenly needed because of an emergency but he's so old and sick that he can't do anything about it....it's so frustrating.

I suppose I shouldn't care, because I'm not Catholic, but whatever.

I am really sorry to say this, but all the people here who cared...

He has just passed away.

May he rest in peace....

Well, what would the Pope have to do that requires health? That's what cardinals and such are for. The pope gives counsel and heads the church, he doesn't rush off and... what? (Correct me if I'm wrong, I don't know much about the Pope either.)

In any case, today and tomorrow is a generally broadcast meeting for my church, and the Prophet's first words were consolation to the Catholic church for the Pope's inevitable passing away. I thought that was very kind of him. He commended the pope for working so hard as a spiritual leader to raise up his members and fight against the evils of today. After hearing that, it really makes me appreciate those other leaders like the Pope that are doing so much to furthere their beliefs and help their church's members be the best they can.

Sounding very un-Hunter like, I'd like to say that this is truly a great loss for the world--not just for Catholics. He was a great man, as great as there has been. If the next Pope is even half the man John-Paul II was, the world may be considered lucky.

The Pope just died.


Aerida, the Catholic church is not a government; there is never an emergency or a crisis. Indeed, the Church usually takes hundreds of years just to respond to something. Take the mass for instance; it took until the 1960's for the Church to allow masses said in the native tongue. It's not like the US or England where the head of state needs to be able to respond to thousands of different issues.

And anyways, the Pope's mind was very sharp right up to the end and he was giving out orders even as he lay on his death bed. Yes he was frail, but what does frail have to do with anything as long as you can still think clearly? It's not as if being Pope requires one to go hiking or skiing (both things the Pope did a lot before he was shot in the early '80s).


Regarding the next Pope, nothing will change much. I just finished reading an article in the Washington Post, and the writer had it very confused; he saw the Vatican as an organization rather than a religious institution. For instance, he asked whether or not the next Pope would allow birth control in the face of rising HIV/AIDS rates. Yet, the Vatican is not a government. If it allows birth control, then it will do so because it will view it as moral to do so. It's also been interesting listening to the media talk about how "conservative" the Pope was. Indeed, he was conservative by the standards of the average Joe, but by the standards of the Church, the Pope was incredibly liberal. But anyhow, nothing will change with the next Pope; change in the Catholic church takes a long time to happen and the Church has never responded to public pressure, which can be a good and a bad thing.

Arvandor->> Yeah, it really surprised me too that there are people who do not know who the Pope is. But, then again, a fifth grader asked me the other day what religion was; he didn't even know what a Christian is. Religious issues aside, he's going to have a lot of trouble in high-school when he has to start reading literature since an understanding of Christianity is necassary to understand many a book.

And anyways, the Pope's mind was very sharp right up to the end and he was giving out orders even as he lay on his death bed.

I stand corrected.

He was a great man, and I can only hope that the next pope will do as wonderful a job.

Arieda the pope can't just "step down" once he's been elected that's it, they're stuck in that job until they're dead. It's sad I think but thats the way the church has run for centuries.

May he rest in peace...I hope he will find his way to Gods hands. He was a good man. Notgreat or perfect, or evil, but good. And good is good enough for me. Again, may he rest in peace... :'( :'(

I don't really care if they elect some rampaging monster. I mean, really, what are they going to do? Lead an army of nuns?