So...the Pope died

[Dylflon]

Yep. He's gone now.

I wonder how they'll decide on a new one.

Perhaps they'll make it a reality television competition.

Like where they have to perform on live tv and people vote.

Catholic Idol!


Or maybe they'll compete in a home decorating show where the contestant who makes the best church becomes the Pope.

Trading Chapels!


Could they abandon them all on an island and force them to compete in elimination chellenges and have them vote eachother out?

Survivor: Vattican!


Maybe they'd all be trapped in a house together with cameras all about.

Big Father!


They could perform frightening stunts to prove their love for God.

GOD Factor!


They could take a page out of America's Next Top Model.

The Vattican's Next Top Pope!

Don't forget about the swimsuit challenge.


I'm out of reality TV show ideas.

P.S. I'm sorry to any catholics I just offended.

P.S.S. R.I.P. The Pope

[Bond]

I'm not Catholic, but I was still offended. And they'll decide on a new Pope the way they have for centuries.

http://www.catholicmission.org/pope1.jpg

[Jonbo298]

I dont have a relgious preference but hearing the news saddened me, RIP :(

[Dylflon]

Sorry. It's just a social commentary about our disturbing society. Not making fun of Catholocism per se.

Also:

Queer Eye for the Pope Guy?

[GameMaster]

Pope John Paul II, the spiritual leader to more than 1 billion Catholics who spread his message worldwide in his 26-year papacy, has died. Rest in peace, good Father.

http://i.a.cnn.net/cnn/2005/WORLD/europe/04/02/pope.dies/top.popejohnpaul.obit.jpg

[Acebot44]

R.I.P. dude. I'd like to believe that he was a good man.

[The Germanator]

It's about time. I was getting bored of that Pope. He looked like he was dead for a few years anyway, like some Weekend at Bernies like prank. I'm looking forward to looking at the new guy though.

[ulala06]

the only pope to enjoy breakdancing.

[Swan]

I'm not sure how they do it, but could someone inform me how they pick a new pope?

[Teuthida]

According to centuries-old tradition, the papal election will be handled entirely by the Sacred College of Cardinals. The college is technically supposed to consist of a maximum of 120 cardinals, though Pope John Paul II has bent this rule by adding a few more (the current cardinal count is 135). Fifteen to 20 days after the pope's death, the cardinals will convene in the Sistine Chapel, in a secret meeting known as the conclave. There, they'll be handed strips of paper emblazoned with the Latin words "Eligo in summum pontificem"—I elect as supreme pontiff. Each cardinal will write down the name of the fellow cardinal he'd like to see elevated to pope and place the ballot in a chalice. (Although the name of any Catholic man can technically be submitted, cardinals, almost without exception, vote for other cardinals.) A cardinal is not supposed to vote for himself. And per a 1975 rule change made by Pope Paul VI, cardinals 80 years old or greater are barred from voting.

The votes will be tabulated by the camerlengo (currently Cardinal Eduardo Martinez Somalo of Spain), head of the college and the man who manages the pope's secular affairs. An assistant will then bind the ballots together with a needle and thread. A victor must receive more than two-thirds of the votes, so it's unlikely anything will be decided after the first round of ballots. If the vote is inconclusive, the ballots will be mixed together with straw and burned in the fireplace; the black smoke that issues forth signals to outside observers that the election is still ongoing.

In past elections, the balloting continued until a candidate received a two-thirds majority. But in 1996, Pope John Paul II tweaked the rules when he promulgated the Universi Dominici Gregis. Aside from mandating that the cardinals could stay in the nearby Domus Sanctae Marthae (St. Martha's House) during the election (rather than in cubicles in the Apostolic Palace), the document also stipulates certain circumstances under which an absolute majority can suffice. Basically, if no decision is reached after three days, the conclave should take a one-day break. After the cardinals return, they should go through no more than 21 additional ballots, with a break for prayer and discussion after the seventh, the 14th, and the 21st. At that point, an absolute majority—that is, half the cardinals plus one—is all that's needed to tap the next pontiff.

Once the decision is made, the ballots will be burned sans straw; the resulting white smoke is the signal that a new pope has been successfully selected.

And if you saw Eurotrip you would know the basics too. :D

[Swan]

Why thank you.


I just watched George Bush's speech.

[Happydude]

it was kind of obvious since thursday night that he wouldn't survive much longer...but anyway, RIP.

[DarrenMcLeod]

Rest In Peace.

[Fox 6]

He was pretty sick, wasn't suprised when i heard the news.


R.I.P

[Typhoid]

RIP.


I'll say what my dad said to me today:


"Yeah, the new pope was going to be some Sekola guy.....but they decided against it, somehow Pope Sekola didnt sound good."

[ulala06]

RIP.


I'll say what my dad said to me today:


"Yeah, the new pope was going to be some Sekola guy.....but they decided against it, somehow Pope Sekola didnt sound good."


lmao.

[Dylflon]

I've been reading up on popes today. Many of them are notorious for being corrupt.

It would appear that John Paul II was one of the better ones.

[DimHalo]

I have chosen to recognize the Pope's passing as a celebrated life going on to a much better place. His prayers will continue to be with us and our with him.

Rest in Peace Pope John Paul II

[Bube]

It's sad, but I just have to say something. Why oh why don't they use their own names and choose something like John Paul II?

[Blackmane]

It's sad, but I just have to say something. Why oh why don't they use their own names and choose something like John Paul II?

Probably because something like Pope Harry Burke doesn't have a very reverent effect on people.

[jeepnut]

It's sad, but I just have to say something. Why oh why don't they use their own names and choose something like John Paul II?

From MSN News:

What's in a name? For a Pope, Quite a Bit.

When Karol Wojtyla was elected pope in 1978, he took the name of John Paul II. Legend has it that the first Pole to become pontiff had considered choosing Stanislaus during the conclave, presumably to pay homage to the 11th century saint from his homeland. But Cardinal Franz Koenig of Vienna convinced him otherwise.

John Paul seemed an obvious, easy option, blending both his short-lived immediate predecessor, John Paul I, and the popes just before, Paul VI and John XXIII, the two architects of the Second Vatican Council in the 1960s.

The assumption of a new name for a new pope following a papal election has no basis in theology, nor is it prescribed by canon law or any papal edict. The now-common practice dates back to the late 10th century, according to Frederic Baumgartner, professor of history at Virginia Tech and author of "Behind Locked Doors: A History of Papal Elections."

Examples of modified monikers exist before then -- in 532, following a two-month election, a priest by the name of Mercury was chosen. To avoid sullying the chair of Peter with a pagan name, he became John II.

But it was not until German king and Holy Roman Emperor Otto III controlled the papacy by securing elections for those he designated, often of Germanic descent, that the name change became more routine, said Baumgartner.

In an attempt to sound more Roman, Bruno, the first German pope, changed his name to Gregory V in 996, and the practice began to stick. The last pope to keep his own name was Marcellus II, in 1555.

The latest conclave will mark the most closely followed papal election to date, and the next pope's choice of name is sure to invite scrutiny from Vatican watchers, pundits around the globe, and average Catholics alike, who will read into it portents of the papacy ahead.

A John Paul III seems unlikely, given that John Paul II served for XX (elected Oct. 1978) years and his successor may want to signal a break with the immediate past.

"It's been a papacy where there are a lot of different ways to claim its legacy," said Thomas Noble, director of the Medieval Institute at University of Notre Dame. "To name yourself John Paul III would be an attempt to redefine what you thought was John Paul II's legacy. You could end up straitjacketing yourself."

Pius, as well, appears an improbable choice, given the controversy surrounding the possible sainthood for Pius IX and Pius XII -- the former accused of kidnapping a young Jewish boy and raising him Catholic, and the latter criticized for not doing enough to save Jews during World War II.

Popes follow no established model in deciding on their name. Most often their choice honors a predecessor whom they admire, or who appointed them bishop or cardinal. Giuseppe Sarto took Pius X in 1903, during a period of tension and political standoff between the Vatican and the Italian state, out of respect for earlier Piuses who had suffered for the church.

In 1831, Mauro Cappellari, the last monk to become pope, chose Gregory XVI because he held Gregory the Great and Gregory VII in high esteem. The name also suggested to European rulers that he would play an active role in the region.

In 1605, Alessandro de Medici took Leo XI in honor of his great-uncle, Leo X, while Alessandro Ludovisi chose Gregory XV for a fellow Gregory from the northern Italian city of Bologna. Emilio Altieri picked Clement X as a reference to Clement IX, who had made him a cardinal just one month before his election. Giovanni Albani became Clement XI in 1700 because he was elected on the feast of St. Clement.

Foes of the authoritarian 16th century Julius II claimed he had looked to Julius Caesar when choosing his name, Baumgartner said, though his choice also may have been related to his given name, Giuliano.

The only time a pope had to resign himself to his second choice came in 1464. Pietro Barbo declared he would become Formosus II, but since "formosus" means beautiful in Latin and Barbo was known for his vanity, he settled on Paul II.

The next pope might do well to reach far back into history and choose a name unfettered by polemics or politics -- Linus, for example, the second pope in history, or Hyginus, a 2nd century pontiff renowned for his virtue.

The boldest choice of all? Peter II, in honor of the apostle to whom Jesus said, "Upon this rock I will build my church." Tradition, however, has held the name sacrosanct, never to be repeated.

[Dark Samurai]

RIP John Paul II

"Like you said, Peter. I'ma the freakin' Pope" - The Pope on Family Guy. Good times... good times...

[jeepnut]

RIP John Paul II

"Like you said, Peter. I'ma the freakin' Pope" - The Pope on Family Guy. Good times... good times...

Did they ever actually call him John Paul II on that episode or just the Pope?

[MuGen]

I think the new pope should keep his name. RIP John Paul II

[Bube]

Thanks for the info Jeepnut.

I think they should keep their own names. Just because it's tradition doens't mean everybody has to do it...

[MuGen]

Anyone who follows tradition for too long fears change.

[jeepnut]

Anyone who follows tradition for too long fears change.

Too much change leads to confusion and lack of a unifying direction.

I like that Popes change their names. It's a great way to honor those that came before and who you look up to.

[Canyarion]

The Pope died when I proposed my girlfriend, I wonder what will happen when we marry. :unsure:

How old is the Dalai Lama? :(

[GameMaster]

Everyone please welcome our new pope, Pope Benedict XVI:

http://i.a.cnn.net/cnn/2005/WORLD/europe/04/19/pope.tuesday/story.pope.benedict.01.jpg

http://www.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/europe/04/19/pope.tuesday/index.html

[Happydude]

he looks evil...and 78 years old?! man these cardinals like to work, they will be electing another pope within 10 years...it would be much better to elect someone below 60, who can serve for a longer period of time.

[Professor S]

I agree that Benedict doesn't have the gentle, grandfather like appearance of Jean Paul, but I wouldn't go so far as to call it "evil". "Severe" is probably a better term to descibe him.

As for age, I'm glad they don't take that into account when voting. I'd rather the most qualified person in the position of leading over a billion people's spiritual lives than a guy chosen for longevity. From what I've gathered, having a Pope for 10 or so years is more the norm than the exception. Jean Paul had one of the longest Papacies on record.

[jeepnut]

I agree that Benedict doesn't have the gentle, grandfather like appearance of Jean Paul, but I wouldn't go so far as to call it "evil". "Severe" is probably a better term to descibe him.

As for age, I'm glad they don't take that into account when voting. I'd rather the most qualified person in the position of leading over a billion people's spiritual lives than a guy chosen for longevity. From what I've gathered, having a Pope for 10 or so years is more the norm than the exception. Jean Paul had one of the longest Papacies on record.

*Cough*John*Cough*

Anyway, it probably also expresses a desire to ease the transition from Pope John Paul II. A young choice would be more likely to make changes over a longer papacy. Not good following such a beloved Pope. Besides, there really is no telling how long his papacy will last.

[Canyarion]

He's scary! :eyes:

Jeepnut, "Truth is not determined by a majority vote." - Pope Benedict XVI, he actually said that? :p

[Bond]

I find calling the Pope evil and scary rather offensive, but whatever. He's very conservative, so I would predict no new changes for the Catholic Church.

[DarrenMcLeod]

It'll be interesting how he is. It's weird having a new Pope.

[Typhoid]

I sort of agree though, he does look sort of....not....nice in that picture.


I could Satanize it with my master MS Paint skills, but that wouldnt go over too well.

[Teuthida]

Quite funny that you guys find him scary...considering

...he's a NAZI...or at least he was...

Was in one of Hitler's youth programs and later a machinegunner to protect a BMW factory.

And his nickname is "God's Rottweiler."

[jeepnut]

He's scary! :eyes:

Jeepnut, "Truth is not determined by a majority vote." - Pope Benedict XVI, he actually said that? :p

It's a quote dedicated to him from the site Ratzingerfanclub.com from when he was a cardinal. Not positive he said those exact words, but I would bet from what I know about him, that he at least agrees with it if he didn't say it.

[Seth]

He's well suited for political cartoon caricatures.