You seem to be in exactly the same position I was in a few years ago except mine was only in one lung and I was ten years younger then than you are now.
So - tell the nurses you REFUSE to have a plastic sheet on top of your mattress (it ruined my sleep) and beg them NOT to wake you up a few minutes after you finally go to sleep to check the drips.

We may be getting some black and white smoke at the Vatican soon.

Do we need a younger Pope next time? By young I mean under 65/70!

JK2006 wrote:
You seem to be in exactly the same position I was in a few years ago except mine was only in one lung and I was ten years younger then than you are now.
So - tell the nurses you REFUSE to have a plastic sheet on top of your mattress (it ruined my sleep) and beg them NOT to wake you up a few minutes after you finally go to sleep to check the drips.

I really like this Pope and I admired how he stood by his falsely accused friend (and political opposite) Cardinal Pell during his travails and then put him up in a Vatican flat for his final days.

The Pope's support for Pell also meant Pell had enormous support from ordinary Catholics in Australia during his trials, a fact the media tried to underplay.

Rumours that Michael Sheen may be next Pope. Or is that Dr Who? Bond?

Do we need more religious fanatics preaching to us?

I am waiting for some edgy comedian to joke about the new Pope but will be silent on Islam. It's odd that they don't joke about that one same with Hinduism.

When someone dies, people say "they are in a better place" why not join them then?

Ricky Gervais says "Holy books" but never mentions the Quran by name.

This Pope's predecessors were reluctant to admit to child abuse by clergy; now because of Francis' stance - this is now accepted as factual - by the church, worldwide.

Gays can't be married in church yet - but Francis has allowed them to be blessed there; another realistic and radical innovation.

With the serious decline in priesthood numbers, Francis is in favour of gay priests (as long as they remain celebate) - but it's only a matter of time before married priests will be ordained.



Otherwise the Catholic Church will cease to function....

Otherwise the Catholic Church will cease to function.

We are not that luckly, dirty corrupt bastards.

Are they all GM? You're lucky to be so well informed.

Al Gershwin wrote:
This Pope's predecessors were reluctant to admit to child abuse by clergy; now because of Francis' stance - this is now accepted as factual - by the church, worldwide.

Gays can't be married in church yet - but Francis has allowed them to be blessed there; another realistic and radical innovation.

With the serious decline in priesthood numbers, Francis is in favour of gay priests (as long as they remain celebate) - but it's only a matter of time before married priests will be ordained.



Otherwise the Catholic Church will cease to function....

I don't see any chance of that happening with over a billion Catholics on the planet.

When you go to a Catholic country, say the Philippines, or any South American country you see how strong the Catholic Church is.

I think in the West Christian churches may be shrinking. But in the rest of the world support remains the same.

I always find the naming of a new Pope interesting. It was nice to have a Francis. Who needed a 16th Benedict or a 23rd John!

Pope Jonathan has a nice ring to it.

Fine - hedda; not cease!

But if only celebate men can perform the sacraments, and bearing in mind few blokes are signing up - what'll happen next?

Serious changes are needed - not another pope, in his late 70's: With an intence relook at a modern/different world.

ONE example - why treat gays different to anyone else?

Why don't God save the Pope and Gaza?

Al Gershwin wrote:
Fine - hedda; not cease!

But if only celebate men can perform the sacraments, and bearing in mind few blokes are signing up - what'll happen next?

Serious changes are needed - not another pope, in his late 70's: With an intence relook at a modern/different world.

ONE example - why treat gays different to anyone else?


A minority of activist gay people misappropriating the colours of the spectrum actually want to be treated differently from everyone else don't they. I just don't understand that, they've set back the cause not advanced it and they don't represent the majority of "normal" gay and lesbian people out there.

Al Gershwin wrote:
Fine - hedda; not cease!

But if only celebate men can perform the sacraments, and bearing in mind few blokes are signing up - what'll happen next?

Serious changes are needed - not another pope, in his late 70's: With an intence relook at a modern/different world.

ONE example - why treat gays different to anyone else?

Yes good points and it's fascinating to contemplate that if Cardinal Pell who was seriously in the running to be the current Pope had been anointed none of the current small changes would have happened.

This is why it was always a bit fascinating that Pell an extreme conservative was such great pals with Francis a left winger.

Yes indeed where is God in Gaza and other calamities.
He/She/They does have a fearsome war like reputation according to the Bible.

Mates like Francis and Pell - with opposing views on many matters relating to Catholicism - were embrace by the church.

As long as they adhered to its key principles and beliefs, weren't critical - and didn't deviate from standard policy to any great degree.

Rome rarely changes anything and has followed the same paths for centuries; Francis was the first to shape/query things.

Soon a review will be needed; about the status of gays, confession, women priests, role of the Pope, enormous wealth etc.

Al Gershwin wrote:


Soon a review will be needed; about the status of gays, confession, women priests, role of the Pope, enormous wealth etc.

A good place to start - and end - their review would be the Gospels; because Jesus had next to nothing to say about sex. But lots about love.

So the Pope has to date made 470 video calls to Gazan residents.

He often posts X support messages.

This is a Christian Pope trying to spread support for Muslims under attack

I wonder if his successor will be the same.

Wyot wrote:
Al Gershwin wrote:


Soon a review will be needed; about the status of gays, confession, women priests, role of the Pope, enormous wealth etc.

A good place to start - and end - their review would be the Gospels; because Jesus had next to nothing to say about sex. But lots about love.


Not next to nothing! Here's just a few of the references.


www.biblestudytools.com/topical-verses/bible-verses-about-sex/

Rich wrote:
Al Gershwin wrote:
Fine - hedda; not cease!

But if only celebate men can perform the sacraments, and bearing in mind few blokes are signing up - what'll happen next?

Serious changes are needed - not another pope, in his late 70's: With an intence relook at a modern/different world.

ONE example - why treat gays different to anyone else?


A minority of activist gay people misappropriating the colours of the spectrum actually want to be treated differently from everyone else don't they. I just don't understand that, they've set back the cause not advanced it and they don't represent the majority of "normal" gay and lesbian people out there.


It's very odd Rich, they have the same rights as straight people do in some cases more. They need to protest where it's a sin to be gay places in the Middle East, Palestine, some places in Africa. In Africa some believe in Correction Rape. That's where you rape bisexual and lesbian's to make them straight. I don't see Pride marchers taking their anger and energy in those countries.

In Afghanistan abuse of boys is rife same with girls. Afghans love to have young boy's in drag to abuse (Google it)


It's a very dark and sick world out there.

Al Gershwin wrote:
[quote]Wyot wrote:
[quote]Al Gershwin wrote:


Not next to nothing! Here's just a few of the references.



I said The Gospels - Matthew Mark Luke & John Barney (just in case). Not The Bible. I also said next to nothing, not nothing. I also knew you would respond in this way, even before I had posted.

Perhaps I am too long here!!