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!swen eht no dias ti tahw s'taht esauceb syad enin s'ti oN

I remember when the Pope came through Sydney a few years ago. The crowds were ginormous.

I believe that he's Polish as well, am I right? That makes him even more important to me and our family (we're all Polish too).

But then, 26 years is a long time of service. I mean, I'd only ever known this one guy to be the Pope for my whole life. And a sudden change, well it'll be weird.

But he's survived through so much before. Rememeber when he was shot? He may live through. But if not, I'm hoping that his passing to the after-life will be peaceful.

I'm sorry,but I just find that completely inappropriate I'm not Catholic, but this is a very solemn and sad time

I saw him speak in Rome three years ago. My group didn't think he'd last through the winter, but he did. He's lived for three years (and a few days past the date we saw him), and it's quite... amazing.
When we heard him speak in english it sounded like "God save firestone tires" at the time it was funny, but his parkinsons affected his speech quite a bit.
I'm not Catholic, i'm agnostic... and I don't agree with all of the popes beliefs... but he's still done a lot for the world on a whole. It will be a hard loss on the Church.
I think the fact that he's not gone to hospital (when he has had the option) says a lot for the situation. I doubt he's going to pull through. If he went to hospital, he'd have a better chance, not a great one, but a better one... maybe this is just his time to go.

Agreed... sorry, it's just how I feel.

It's think it's really sad how he's now dying. I hope he pulls through - but if he doesn't they say he is at one with Jesus. I do believe that. *sigh* Such a shame.

Oh, I thought he was just... sort of the figurehead for that religion. I didn't know he actually DID stuff.

Many young people (myself included) don't know how important the Pope really is because our only memory is of the current one struggling with parkinsons. The pope's real job involves determinining religious doctrine, maintaining the integrity of the church, and doing every kind of international relations you can imagaine. He has the ear of politicians because they know he has the ear of every Catholic on the planet. He is counted above Kings and Princes. In some ways he is very much a figurehead, but it really all depends on the individual. The pope has a great deal of power, whether they are mearly a figurehead or not depends on their choice (or in this case, ability) to use it.

When we have a new pope, I highly doubt he will be regarded as a figurehead. I'm really hoping the vatican elects someone like John Paul in his early years. Someone who won't be afraid to do a little shaking up.

And it makes absolutely no sense to spend your entire life crying. Everyone here seems upset, even to a small extent, and the mood definitely needed to be lightened. Just because something is incredibly sad doesn't mean you need to be completely sad about it. Besides, someone dying isn't necessarily bad. The Pope has been suffering for a long time. Personally, I believe, it's going to be good for him to die. The guy has so much responsibility and has been through so much pain... rest will be wonderful.

Your grandparents probably don't have Parkinsons'.

I know that. Christopher made me chuckle a bit, but the Pope hasn't died yet, and it will be very sad when he does. It's not really our whole life, just... while he's still fresh in our minds.

Back in the medieval days of Europe, maybe.

While I agree he is a kind man that has done many great things, his views of Catholicism were far too conservative; I hope the next Pope is more reform-minded.

Also, it is the pope's duty to appoint new Bishops, Archbishops and Cardinals. Every single bishop, archbishop and cardinal has been approved by the pope. And considering how many bishops there are alone, and how long the pope has been reigning for, that's a lot of work.

He does now too.
He played quite an important part in bringing down the berlin wall.

I will be glad when he's dead. Do you know why? Because I think he is suffering so much, not only because of his illness but because people will NOT leave him alone to die in peace.

But thats the thing, he was a people person. If he's still awake (i'm not sure if he is) he could easily command for the square to be cleared of people.
I'm not sure how much he is suffering, from what i've heard on TV when he was still concious he was praying quietly and asking the people in the square to pray with him. Not everyone wants to be alone in death, and for someone whose spent their whole life working with people... why be left alone now?