Pope Better, Hopes to Make Sunday Address -- Vatican

[Petrushka]

VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - Pope John Paul's health is improving and he hopes to be strong enough to make his weekly address as usual on Sunday, the Vatican's chief spokesman said on Friday.

<snip>

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L04696464.htm

[James T. Kirk]

1. Good!

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O8)O8)O8)O8)O8)O8)O8)O8)O8)O8)O8)O8)O8)O8)O8)O8)O8)O8)O8)O8)O8)

[Danmel]

2. That's good

His successor is not likely to be any better and at least JPII has made some ecumenical inroads. (Not in any way condoning or minimizing the priest abuse cover-up-just think it's an institutional problem that is not likely to get much better no matter who is Pope)

[emad]

3. Ailing Pope has "full and supreme power" over Church

Ailing Pope has "full and supreme power" over Church
04 Feb 2005 15:14:08 GMT

Source: Reuters

By Philip Pullella

VATICAN CITY, Feb 4 (Reuters) - There are vice-presidents and there are deputy prime ministers. But there is no such thing as a vice-Pope.

While Pope John Paul is in hospital, the Vatican bureaucracy keeps churning away but only he can make major decisions.

There is no transfer of power, automatic or otherwise, as there would be at the White House if President George W. Bush were to be taken seriously ill.

The Pope remains the boss, the only boss.

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L04345320.htm

[emad]

4. Pope's illness forces abdication on to agenda: Guardian

Pope's illness forces abdication on to agenda

Sophie Arie
Friday February 4, 2005
The Guardian

The Pope remained "stable" in hospital yesterday as his illness raised the question of what the Catholic church would do if he were to become permanently incapacitated - and reopened debate over whether popes should retire instead of reigning for life.

The Vatican announced on Thursday that the pontiff had "rested well" and was showing a "positive evolution" after he was taken to hospital on Tuesday night with breathing spasms brought on by flu.

His spokesman, Joaquin Navarro-Valls, said he expected him to remain in hospital for about a week.

It was reported that the Pope had held a mass over the phone and might be well enough to give his weekly Angelus address from the window of his hospital room on Sunday.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/pope/story/0,12272,1405658,00.html

[Name removed]

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[Name removed]

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[snooper2]

7. Can you bash the pope without bashing all Catholics?

I would say, um.....yes...

[AngryOldDem]

9. Why "bash"?

Why not "criticize" the papacy, and not the man himself, esepcially since we are talking more about the office of the papacy than JPII in this thread?

I think the question of papal succession by means other than by death is a valid topic that the Church must consider (among many). This is yet another aspect of modern technology that the Church has to come to grips with -- people are living longer, but that does not always mean their mental faculties are capable of doing a job and doing it well. Sometimes, physical issues make it impossible to continue. Popes, like everyone else, should have the option to step aside if they feel they can no longer adequately fulfill their roles.

If the Pope is to be something more than a mere figurehead, the Vatican must take a look at this part of tradition and revise it accordingly.

[Beware the Beast Man]

8. What an insightful and enlightening prognostication you give us.

There isn't nearly enough scatological humor in this society.

[NJGeek]

10. This sets the stage ...

... for TENACIOUS D'S RISE TO P O W E R !!!!!!

long live the D!

[donheld]

11. What are you talking about?

:shrug:

[Zerex71]

12. He doesn't even enjoy full and supreme power over his body.

These followers of his really need to face facts -- the guy's going to croak any day now.

[DemBones DemBones]

13. First up, Catholics aren't "followers" of the Pope.

The Pope is the head of our Church and we respect him for that, even if we don't always agree with him.

Second, although his body is aged and he has Parkinson's disease, his mind and soul are apparently functioning well and he is able to continue in his work. He may live years longer or he may die soon and I don't think any of us are in denial about the possibility that his death could come soon.

[Zerex71]

14. Then everyone needs to quit acting like he's so full of vim and vigor.

I mean, has any Catholic really taken a good look at him? He is a frail old man due to croak any day now. Let's stop pretending he's just having a minor cold or sniffle.

[truthisfreedom]

15. must bug bushco like crazy that the Pope refuses to give up the ghost and

keep speaking out against war.

[Conservativesux]

16. At least he has decent access to healthcare, unlike most humans.