Can someone explain to me about the Pope and bodyguards.

[Bonhomme Richard]

Let me get this out of the way. I was raised Roman Catholic and went through 14 years of Catholic school.
Now.
Why would the Pope want, or need, bodyguards. It seems to me that, if you really believed, then bodyguards would be totally unnecessary because you represent God and if God didn't want anything to happen to you it wouldn't. Therefore if something did happen to you then it was Gods will and that should be ok.......If you truly believe.
I was watching the news talking about the NY police ramping up for the Pope's visit and asked myself that question. Is it because the Government doesn't want to deal with any ramifications if some thing happened to the Pope? That can't really be the case cause what would the Vatican do? Attack us with the Swiss guards? I don't think so.
Anyway shouldn't ,of all people the Pope, leave it in Gods hands?

[Virginia Dare]

1. Sure, as soon as you explain to me..

why the Pope is most likely the wealthiest dude on Earth (vow of poverty?).

[The Straight Story]

5. He does own that stuff, he administers it

:)

[fed_up_mother]

7. The pope has not taken a vow of poverty

and he's the equivalent of a very lucky squatter in Vatican City. ;-)

I used to be Catholic, but I do know that only those priests who are members of orders - like Dominicans, Franciscans, Jesuits, etc. - take vows of poverty. As for as diocesan priests, lthough their salaries are low, if they have inherited wealth, they may keep it. If they write a book, for example, they make keep the proceeds. Most priests are just regular diocesan priests, and don't belong to orders like some priests, all monks, and sisters. I remember our diocesan priests used to drive nice cars and take nice vacations, but that was about the limit of their "wealth." They lived in parish houses, so they had more disposable income considering their meager salaries.

The RCC is asset rich, but cash flow "poor" (relative to their assets, anyway). Of course, I'm sure not how much a large medieval church or basilica is going for these days. LOL

[aquart]

2. Because of the guy with the gun who shot one.

Clearly God didn't much care.

[Bonhomme Richard]

4. God's will? I guess so.

Of course maybe he was saying" For Gods sake...get yourself some bodyguards. What, are you nuts? There's a lot of crazies out there."

[keep_it_real]

3. Because theirs always a crazy trying to make a name or himself

[Adsos Letter]

6. If it were God's will for something to happen to him....

then no amount of protection would matter. Heck, a plain old heart attack would do the trick...not much defense against that.

[spanone]

8. they shoot popes, don't they?

[cbayer]

9. Because there are lunatics out there who like to shoot famous people.

There was a serious assassination attempt in 1981. Now, I'm no big fan of the Catholic Church, but I do think he has the right to protect himself.

[coriolis]

10. So much for faith.

:eyes: