Habemus Papem!

Sunstone said:

It's my impression that the new pope and the old pope are in agreement on every issue across the board. Is this correct?

Click to expand...

That might be a non-theist way to word that. They may well contend that Ratzinger and JP2 were guided by God in the same direction. Each pope governs the church in a different world than the last and while ideologies might be the same or similar the context in which it is applied has different elements leading to possible variance in percieved ideologies. If Ratzinger was the Popes "right hand man" like I have read in some places they were likely on the same page on many issues.

Quote from the new Pope: "But when the Church's work for justice touches on issues and problems which the world no longer sees as bound up with human dignity, like protecting the right to life of every human being from conception to natural death, or when the Church confesses that justice also includes our responsibilities toward God himself, then the world not infrequently reaches for the stones mentioned in our Gospel today. "

I like him already! Let's hope this one stays a while. Did you know that the Pope who was originally chosen instead of John Paul II died shortly after assuming the position?? I guess the Lord just had someone else in mind!

34 days is all that John Paul I served.

I read

"Message of Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger to the Communion and Liberation (CL) meeting at Rimini (24-30 August 2002) on the theme: "The Feeling of Things, the Contemplation of Beauty""

link

It was hard to wrap your head around, but I managed to wade through it, and it was very insightful. I'm sure he'll make an excellent Pope.

Quote from the new Pope: "But when the Church's work for justice touches on issues and problems which the world no longer sees as bound up with human dignity, like protecting the right to life of every human being from conception to natural death, or when the Church confesses that justice also includes our responsibilities toward God himself, then the world not infrequently reaches for the stones mentioned in our Gospel today. "

Click to expand...

Sounds very theocratic to me.

He is a more conservative pope, and less likely to accept other beliefs. I won't make a prediction, but I hope the bridges John Paul II made won't be broken.

[/quote=Wikipedia]On his first appearance at the balcony of Saint Peter's Basillica after becoming pope, he had notably forgotten to take his black sweater off before putting on his papal robes, leaving it clearly showing on his arms. [/quote]Love it...and a rebel too -- refusing to attend Hitler Youth Meetings. He sounds a very interesting man.