Why the Next Pope Needs to Be Italian

nytimes.com ^ | January 11, 2004 | ROBERTO PAZZI

[Destro]

So he wants the Pope to be Italian in the hopes him being a liberal?

The Orthodox warned you against placing the faith under the dictate of one fallible man rather than adhere to the councils of bishops.

No orthodox patriarch would have ever even thought to declare "God is the Father but is also the Mother."

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[ChicagoHebrew]

I ain't a Catholic, but it seems to me that the only reason why the Pope would need to be Italian is if the current College of Cardinals is made up of racist asses. Most Catholics today (esp practicing Catholics) are in Latin America and Africa. Seems to me (again not a Catholic, so perhaps I shouldn't be speaking) that the time for a Latin American or African Pope is long overdue.

[NYer]

Roberto Pazzi is author, most recently, of "Conclave," a novel. This article was translated by Ann McGarrell from the Italian.

Pazzi has lost sight of the fact that the Vatican is an independent state. It is NOT another Italian province!

The word pazzi is Italian for crazy. Hey, if the name fits!

[Desdemona]

To these victims John Paul has obstinately refused contraception, for reasons of principle that risk becoming complicity in what could truly be a mass extermination. It was this refusal in particular that influenced the Nobel judges in Oslo in denying him the peace prize.

Uh, what does contraception have to do with preventing AIDS? That would promote promiscuity, not chastity. And I wouldn't worry about not having a Nobel prize. After Alfred Nobel died, they were twisted away from his intent. The committees are more about prestige than anything else.

Pazzi doesn't make his point. In fact, he presents the case for the next pope NOT to be Italian.

[StAthanasiustheGreat]

Cardinal Scola of Venice would be the only really Orthodox candidate from Italy IMHO. I am pulling for Schornburn or Arinze.

[Salvation]

I am offended by your language.

[Salvation]

Prayer and the guidance of the Holy Spirit is the mainstay of any selection of a Pope.

As Catholics, we trust that the Holy Spirit guides this process and so we don't seem to have as much of a problem with it others might.

[Solon]

I enjoyed the beginning of this article. Finished the article by spewing Italian curses at the monitor.

So he wants the Pope to be Italian in the hopes him being a liberal?

Definitely yes. But the absolute arrogance and egotism that the next Pope needs to be Italian is too too much. Why didn't he just honestly say that Slavs aren't as cultured and worldly as Italians and be done with it.

A liberal that favors gay marriages as Pope? Why bother having a Pope- or tradition or even the bible- just read the National Enquirer and do your own thing. If it feels good than it's good.

[RobbyS]

Talk about cultural Catholics, Italia is full of them.

[Pahuanui]

I am offended by your language.

I am offended by you being offended by such language.

[A.J.Armitage]

I'm offended that you're offended that Salvation is offended. Or something.

[Tantumergo]

"The Orthodox warned you against placing the faith under the dictate of one fallible man rather than adhere to the councils of bishops.

No orthodox patriarch would have ever even thought to declare "God is the Father but is also the Mother.""

Nah - don't worry, God's in charge. If we get another liberal who wants to feminize God, then God will treat him the same as He did the last one....very short papacy.

Councils of bishops can be every bit as fallible as individuals when they are loaded with liberals - unless they have divine protection against fallibility that is!

[Destro]

Councils of bishops lessens the odds for incorrect doctrine being adopted.

[Canticle_of_Deborah]

I can see there is a movement to malign the character of Pope John Paul I. They must be tired of criticizing Pius XII.

First of all, why are you giving any credence whatsoever to a liberal writing for the liberal New York Times? The article itself is preposterous.

Second, if you think that Pope JP I was a tree hugging liberal you are mistaken. An honest analysis of his life and writings reveal a moderate ideology and a man of honest and integrity.

Anyone who is familiar with mystical theology and certain Biblical texts would understand his statement. In Genesis we are told that man and woman were created in God's image. In the Books of Wisdom and Sirach, Wisdom from God is assigned a feminine nature. It is completely logical to deduce that God has qualities of both male and female. Many mystics have written things which caused scandal to the unenlightened. Once one gets to that level of Divine union it is difficult to relate or be understood on the ordinary level.

[NeoCaveman]

Councils of bishops lessens the odds for incorrect doctrine being adopted.

You aren't familiar with the USCCB are you?

[ArrogantBustard]

I'm offended that you're offended that Salvation is offended. Or something.

I'm just plain offended, on general principles.

[drstevej]

I would be offended if you were not offended. I think. I don'rt mean to offend you, however.

[Cvengr]

"You aren't familiar with the USCCB are you?

Not really, but I think USC was ahead of them at the quarter.

[Cvengr]

I can hardly wait to get my new glasses, first time I read the title I couldn't understand why the next Pope needs to be Islamic.

When I woke up this morning, the first rays of daylight illuminated the curtains over the window, silhouetting a 6 foot tall shadowed figure overlooking me in bed. I closed my eyes thinking I was mistaken and reopened them. Sure enough, there he was, Death, silhouetted standing not more than three feet from my side, about 6 foot or taller, in black monk's cloth, hooded and unable to see his face,...I closed my eyes again and opened them, thinking perhaps I wasn't focusing on some other object, but no the bastard was still there, hadn't budged an inch, the hooded bastion of a stalwart mission, leaning on a sickle and broad shouldered of sturdy frame. I said a quick confession and arose to meet my fate, when the pillow case I was hugging not more than 4 inches from my face fell to the floor and with it Death disappeared. Ijust knew it was going to be one of those days....