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they want older men as Popes..so they will die...A Pope is a Pope for life..)kinda like the surpeme counr justices unfortunately)....if one gets in there and decides to radically change things, they won't want him in charge very long....Pope John Paul lived a very long time as Pope, but fortunately was very popular

I'll try to answer some of these questions, but I'm realatively new to Catholicism, so bear with me...

Why the name change?

For the same reason Simon became Peter (the rock) when he assumed his role as Apostle. Upon becoming Pope, the person elected assumes the supernatural powers associated with the Throne of Peter (the first Pope). Christ gave these powers to Peter when he said "Do you love me?....Feed my sheep". This is referred to in the Catholic Church as the "apostolic succession".
Taking on a new name at major junctions in one's life has been done throughout Christianity. Usually one chooses a name of a Saint in history that they wish to honor or be like. For instance, when I was confirmed Catholic, I took the name Paul (patron Saint of Truth).

There are 450 million catholics in south america who would rather see Guido Sarduchi as the Pope than some old white haired "illegitimate child" from Germany of all places. What is it with these european Popes?

Not necessarily true...most southern hemisphere Catholics, like most traditional minded Catholics, want the best man for the job, regardless of race. Many of my Catholics I know were pulling for the Bishop from Nigeria, and no one I know wanted anyone from the U.S. But now we trust that the Holy Spirit led the college of Cardinals to elect the right man.

Don't believe everything you hear about Cardinal Ratzinger (now Benedict XVI), I've watched him for a couple of years now, and he is NOT the Nazi dictator he is portrayed as by the liberal media. Neither should you believe half of what is said about the Catholic Church in general - if you actually get involved you'll find it is the most maligned church in the world - but also the biggest and still growing....I don't think that would be happening if they weren't doing something right.

BigLou2 wrote:Gonna burn in you know what for making fun of the Pontiff! You boys better be careful! next you will be wondering why you had such a bad duck season??????

Im not catholic.

regishay wrote:

BigLou2 wrote:Gonna burn in you know what for making fun of the Pontiff! You boys better be careful! next you will be wondering why you had such a bad duck season??????

Im not catholic.

mallards are catholic, megansers are methodist.

I agree that Islamic-Christian relations can potentially deliver either armageddon or world peace, and I pray the Pope will receive the power to improve those relations. His initial statements call for unifying Christians, and I think that may be the first step....

The history of Islam vs. Judeo-Christianity is not pretty, however, and neither side is without blemish.

further....
I think the Pope is keenly aware of the failure of the Christian Crusades (when we boiled or burned Muslims and anyone else who didn't bow to Jesus), and I don't think he's about to embark upon another Crusade.

On a similar note, I think that the terrorism inflicted on the U.S. is radical Islam imposing a crusade of their own against the excesses of modern western culture. The previous Pope, as well as the new one, have firmly resisted modern culture and done everything possible to uphold the traditional values of the Gospel (which the masses love). THAT is going to be the key to improving Islamic-Christian relations.

Mea Culpa, Big Lou2, I want in on some of those "catholic" mallards that Tunica was talking about!!! I saw JPII last year in Rome at the Wed. auidence in the auditormy thingy! My mom and 83 y/o Great Aunt got to go on stage for a blessing as my aunt was in a wheelchair! It was a BIG deal for them. Me, I saw Jennifer Anderson in Central Park and she posed for a picture with my daughter(4 y/o at time). That was not as big of deal but only celeb or world leader I have been that close to to speak with!!! Oh well. She is fine looking though!