The New Pope:

Smokler on April 19, 2005

So there’s a new pope in town. His name is Joseph Ratzinger, he’s German, 78, former Dean of the College of Cardinals and has chosen the name Pope Benedict XVI. Far as I can tell, his favorite color is white.

Some hoped that whomever they elected as the 256th pope would be a more progressive pontiff as now most of the world’s Catholics are poor, of color and living in developing countries. Elsewhere in the world, interest in Catholicism is declining. So what to do about this 21st century thing, ya know?

Elect a pope that CNN calls a “Guardian of Orthodoxy”? Another white-European guy? Eh wouldn’t be my first choice but A) I’m not Catholic (or even Christian) and B) This new pope is 78 years old. Unless he is in superb health, he’s not going to be reigning for 26 years as his predeccesor did. I have a feeling we’ll be right back here in 5 years or so waiting for the revealing of Mr. 257.

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2 Replies to “The New Pope:”

  1. M-D April 20, 2005 at 10:52 am

    One of my co-workers is a Deacon in the Catholic church, and he seems to think that the reason Ratzinger was elected was because:
    1) he’s older
    2) he’s an administrator
    Essentially, he’s meant to be a ‘transition pope’. There are those in the church who believe that JPII, between his jet-setting (so to speak) and, more recently, his failing health, was unable to oversee some of the more administrative functions of the Vatican. So look for Ratzinger to fill that void, but next time around, the College will probably go for someone less…well, white European.

  2. M-D April 20, 2005 at 10:52 am

    One of my co-workers is a Deacon in the Catholic church, and he seems to think that the reason Ratzinger was elected was because:
    1) he’s older
    2) he’s an administrator
    Essentially, he’s meant to be a ‘transition pope’. There are those in the church who believe that JPII, between his jet-setting (so to speak) and, more recently, his failing health, was unable to oversee some of the more administrative functions of the Vatican. So look for Ratzinger to fill that void, but next time around, the College will probably go for someone less…well, white European.

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