How much longer for the current Pope?

[Zamphyr]

I took the Pope in my Dead Pool this year (behind Reagan and Mushareef...so make my guess September). JPII is looking bad and they are starting to cancel his trips abroad. It's too bad he's not retiring, he would probably live longer without the demands of the office.

No idea about the next Pope, except that he won't be from the US or anywhere in Asia. Start scouting those Latin American, African and European cardinals and place your bets.


John Paul II has had an incredible reign as Pope. It will be interesting to see which direction the Church goes when he dies. Expect a media circus as half of the world has never seen the College of Cardinals convene to elect a new Pope.


ps- welcome back Rodgers. Your wry wit was sorely missed.

 

[Margim]

The previous pope was considered a fairly progressive man - John Paul 1. Maybe to progressive. It is believed in some circles that he was actually murdered by a faction within the vatican, that ensured the JP II would be elected next Pope. JP II has since been promoting conservatives from around the world to become Cardinals, ensuring that on his death a conservative would enter the papacy. Thus... a straight, white, conservative European would be the most likely next Pope.

 

[pomsa]

1 year or less, and for the new pope, an Italian or Spainard.

 

[Hawkster]

I think the issue of the next Pope has already been decided - hasn't the current incumbent ensured that by flooding the vatican with cardnials who follow his line very closely?

I would expect the next Pope to very much in the same mould as the current one.But hopefully a little less saint making happy

And no, I am not resorting to guessing how long he has left.

 

[Illustrious]

I agree the current congregation of Cardinals is looking very much in JPII's mould, so the odds are very much on "more of the same".

However, there may be other views which matter: a joke told in Jesuit circles shortly after JPII's accession seems even more apposite now....


The Pope is walking in the Vatican gardens, when he meets Jesus Christ, who offers to answer three questions.

JPII: Lord, will there ever be true ecumenical agreement with the Protestants?

JC: No, my son, not in your lifetime.

JPII: Lord, will there ever be a female priest?

JC: No, my son, not in your lifetime.

JPIII: And, Lord, will there be another Polish Pope?

JC: No, my son, not in my lifetime!

 

[MrPresident]

I want an English Pope. If only to hear him shout very loud pigeon Italian.

 

[Rodgers]

Originally posted by cgannon64
Who cares Rodgers is back!

 

[Rodgers]

The way JPII has packed the College of Cardinals I doubt we'll see any liberal minded Pontiff next time around - perhaps a non-European but only if he is sufficiently conservative and rigid in his doctrinal position.

 

[The Yankee]

I don't know how much longer he has. Every time it seems like he is on the brink, he comes back with some renewed strength, for a while. I'm going to say that they will revert back to the old tradition and make an Italian for Pope...even though John Paul II broke over 500 years of that line.

Say what you will about some church policies, but he has done a lot of good during his tenure, more so than a lot of other popes and especially more so than pretty much any 20th century Pope I can think of.

 

[cgannon64]

Hey guys just remember that John Paul used to be very liberal back in his early days. But the world has raced past him.

Wow, I was just looking him up real quick...he looked so much younger 10 years ago.

 

[EdwardTking]

March 11 2005

 

[John Bull]

[Double Post]

 

[John Bull]

This thread is in rather poor taste, isn't it?