''Unpredictable" pope worries security team

[onehandle]

Source: AP



VATICAN CITY (AP) — Forgive Pope Francis' security team for looking a bit nervous. One pope was shot in St. Peter's Square while riding in an open vehicle. Another was tackled by a woman with mental problems in St. Peter's Basilica. So in the early days of Francis' pontificate, as the pope delights the flock by wading into crowds and pressing the flesh, it's only natural that chief Vatican cop Domenico Giani seems on edge.

Just consider some of Francis' acts of papal outreach, which have all made for a refreshing change from the reserved style of his predecessor Benedict XVI, but present a huge headache for a security detail attached to one of the planet's most high-profile people. The day after his election, Francis eschewed the Vatican's armored limousine and traveled through the chaotic streets of Rome in an ordinary car to pick up his things at a downtown hotel.

At his first Sunday Mass as pontiff, Francis caused a stir by mingling with bystanders at a Vatican gate, shaking hands and even allowing himself to be grabbed by the shoulder, all while people jostled to get closer. Then on inauguration day, Francis stood for nearly 30 minutes Tuesday in an open vehicle that circled the vast square, kissing babies handed up to him and at one point jumping out to bless and kiss a disabled man in the crowd.

It's not for nothing that Francis has quickly been dubbed the "unpredictable" pope. And for a bodyguard, unpredictable means trouble. Giani looked particularly worried by the crowd that gathered after the Sunday Mass. La Stampa newspaper quoted an aide at the scene as saying that things "better get back to normal or we're in trouble."

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/unpredictable-pope-worries-security-team-150231379.html

[baldguy]

1. Frank should stop trying to schmooze the crowd.

Instead he should confess the Churches sins, acknowledge its crimes, work to overcome its institutionalized bigotry, and ask its victims for forgiveness.

No more & no less than what it demands from its followers.

[Drum]

5. +1 n/t

[goldent]

6. I think he should do both

I'm sure it is possible - it has been done before.

[Beacool]

2. I understand their concern.

The Pope would like to continue to be among the people as he was in Buenos Aires, but Popes are as much of a target as any other world leader. I hope that they are able to protect him. John Paul II almost died after he was shot in the 1980s.

[ReRe]

3. Quite frankly....

...I'm glad to see a Pope who is unafraid of the People. Unafraid to put himself in harms way. We need more Clergy in this world who are unafraid. Show me a man of the cloth who is afraid and what I see is a person who doesn't believe what he preaches. This is my personal opinion and will not respond to vicious attacks. Thank you onehandle for your OP.

[Javaman]

4. In the late breaking news...

the pope was seen high fiving and chest bumping people.

[Celefin]

8. Thanks for the laugh :) -nt-

[Celefin]

7. Good for him!

Meeting real people is the only way to understand real people's needs.
It just seems so terribly out of place because the rest of the world has gotten used to be afraid and under constant 'security threats'. Here's somebody going against the script - that alone is terribly refreshing.
Who knows, he might even do a good job.

[dipsydoodle]

12. Ditto

Man of the people should be with the people.

[rucky]

9. He should be fine...

but should probably avoid going on DU.

[DCBob]

10. HA!!

thanks for the chuckle!

[Beacool]

11. For real.............