Posted on 11/09/2015 11:17:56 AM PST by NormsRevenge
ROME (Reuters) - Pope Francis had to be helped up the steps to an altar at a Rome basilica on Monday after stumbling in public for the second time in three days.
Two church officials flanked the 78-year-old pontiff and took him by the arm as he faltered on his way up the steps during a service in the Basilica of St. John Lateran.
On Saturday, the pope tripped on the steps of St. Peter's Basilica, stopping his fall with his outstretched hands, before two aides helped him back to his feet.
Last month, the Vatican dismissed an Italian newspaper report that the pope was suffering from a benign brain tumor, saying the pontiff was in good health.
The pope lost part of one lung to disease as a young man and is known to suffer some leg pain due to sciatica, for which he undergoes regular therapy and which might explain his apparent trouble climbing steps.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.yahoo.com ...
“Francis has said he expects his papacy to be short”
Interesting from a historical perspective. In past, when there were strong, competing factions in the church, to break the impasse the sides would agree to elect an elderly Pope in ill health. Outside of the pressure of electing a new Pontiff, they figured they could reach a settlement before the new Pope had died.
Coming on the heels of Benedict’s retirement, perhaps the most interesting part of Francis’ tenure is that all the leftists, socialists, heterodoxicals, and heretics have come out of the woodwork.
This means that if Francis does not last long, and the next Pope is more like Benedict, then it will be a lot easier to purge the recalcitrants from the church leadership.
I distinctly remember it due to the fact that my 2nd grade teacher was a second cousin to the Holy Father JP 1. We also got my dog from her so for years I told people my dog was related to the pope...
CC
“Just don’t ask me what the alternative is... “
Study martial arts. I couldn’t whip my way out of a paper bag anymore, but I still know how to take a fall.
Since 1500 there have been a number of popes who lasted less than a year, besides John Paul I:
Pius III, 1503
Marcellus II, 1555
Urban VII, 1590
Leo XI, 1605
When Clement VIII was elected in 1592, that was the fourth papal election since the beginning of the 1590s.
Amen. Good post.
This is hugh.
“Just don’t ask me what the alternative is...”
Stopping his fall with his nose?
It would be amazing if his predecessor outlived him. Tell me again why Pope Benedict XVI had to resign?
Maybe the Benedict appointees can make a better decision.
I have mixed feelings here. ;)
Look for him to step down by the time he reaches 80.
Having fallen a couple of times in the last year
at the age of 69 I can say it’s hard to recover.
I fell last about three months ago, flat on my
face, legs tangled up in an electrical cord.
Managed not to smash my face but landed stiff armed
and did serious damage to my shoulder, no fracture
but still in pain.
At his age falling down is the start of degeneration.
Not a good sign.
If he retires the office, what do they call him?
ExPope, Former Pope.
Paul VI died on August 6.
John Paul I was elected on August 26.
He probably died on September 28th.
John Paul II was elected on October 16th.
So there were three popes in 71 days.
Wow! Is he thinking he might not survive very long ..??
I never got that impression of him when I listened to him speak .. strange.
Or maybe, he’s expecting to retire early.
I’d say I’m praying for his well-being...but I’m not.
“They really need to pick a Pope who is in their 40’s.”
Why don’t they NOT pick a pope, and just let Christ be Head of the Church as it should be?
No. Jesus picked the first Pope. Jesus knew what he was doing. Unfortunately other religions are clueless on Jesus.
Jesus picked the first pope? Riiiight. How dare those “other religions” follow the Bible?
Funny.
No kidding but you have idiots all over. St. Peter was the first Pope. Not hard to figure that out. One of the last things Jesus did before he was murdered. Thank God we are smarter then most of the idiots. God Bless you on being right along with the rest of us.
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