POPE LIVE ON FOX WITH BUSH

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,121750,00.html ^ | 4JUNE2004 | ME

[Jet Jaguar]

ROME — President Bush and Pope John Paul II (search ) met briefly for talks in Vatican City Friday at the start of the president's 36-hour tour of Italy.

The president nodded and smiled as he greeted the 84-year-old pontiff, leaning down to hold his trembling hands. The closed-door talks between the president and the Pope, who has expressed fervent opposition to the war in Iraq, were to focus on Iraq and the conflict in the

[livius]

He faces his critics which open hands. It is just amazing.

I have been genuinely impressed by this, too.

[CasearianDaoist]

NO, he can step down. I do not know what you mean by "willingly." He can retire if he choses to. There is even a resignation in the list that you post here.

[Bahbah]

I missed it and I think I'm glad. I just heard a replay of some of the Pope's remarks and it is very painful.

[jwalsh07]

Good analysis, right on the money. The PTOUS' visit will not change minds, the fault lines in the Catholic Church are drawn smack dab over abortion and homosexuality.

[CasearianDaoist]

I think it is the honest Christian in him (and a good upbring.) That is not to say that he does not have sound character - do not get me wrong about that.

[stanley windrush]

It is significant for American Catholics who are devout (and most likely vote Republican) to see the Methodist President visit the Pope. Despite the animosity of some Protestants he does represent over a billion members of the Church on earth. It seems to the Muslims (who have long memories and remember non-wimpy Christians) that he represents the leader of Christianity more than any other figure.
As for Kerry, well, I am sure he could have an audience with the Pope. I am certain the Pope would be very frank with him regarding the precarious position of his soul should he continue to defend the death cult. All the Church can do is appeal to his conscience and apply excommunication when it is deemed necessary.
I appreciate that American Fundamentalist Protestants have picked up the ball dropped by (most, not all) wimpy Catholic bishops regarding the abortion horror.

[Aquinasfan]

Is the Pope allowed to retire? Seriously.

I think so. Eventually, he may have to.

However, his perseverence in the face of suffering is an example for all Christians. There's also a lesson here for our modern society that seeks to prematurely institutionalize the infirm, or put them to death.

[monkapotamus]

Here's the text of the Pope's speech:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1147368/posts

[Lukasz]

How do you though he helped destroy communism, for sure not from Vatican and communist didn’t arrived to Vatican. However his influences are more useable in Catholic countries.

[MrsEmmaPeel]

NO, he can step down

I think you misunderstand. It's NOT the custom for a Pope to resign willingly. Those that have left office and have not died in it (a VERY small list), were kicked out due to a political coup.

[Aquinasfan]

Would Kerry be allowed to have an audience with the Pope given his stance on abortion?

Anyone can have an audience with the pope, even the man who tried to assasinate him. Kerry would never do it because the pope would very likely mention the obligation of politicians to protect unborn children in a public statement. I doubt the pope would allow himself to be used as a photo op, as Cardinals McCarrick and Mahoney have done.

[Desdemona]

Gives whole new meaning to the word DODDERING.

Courageous.

[texasflower]

Thank you both for the information. I appreciate it.

[Mo1]

Not in my neck of the woods. Only the eldery ones are not too willful to do it.

Not in my neck of the woods either ..

[Desdemona]

Curiously, the more conservative elements if the Church are from the third world. These folk have not yet reached a powerful political critical mass (no pun intended) but they may yet do so.

There are those who are not from the third world at all and recognize that all the worldliness of the modern church has brought us nothing but trouble. After 2000 years, you'd think the church had some wisdom, but the modernists doubt it.

[saveliberty]

Nicely put. There is amazing anti Catholic rhetoric and blatant hostility among Protestants voting Democrat.

I remember reading in the papers after Bush's first meeting with the Pope how the Pope had been appreciative that W was attentive and respectful. The Pope then added that 42 (also known as the most useless man in America) was inattentive and politely inferred that he was a disrespectful know-it-all.

[Coachm]

Many of the "old school" catholics see this as important. You can probably put the catholic spectrum of Hispanics (particularly the recently immigrated) in that category as well. Note: this is, of course, a rather braod generalization.

[uncbob]

Pope called for Iraq to have sovereignty back as soon as possible.

Since he was against the war does that mean he also wants Saddam back

[Ragirl]

Here's the text of the Pope's speech:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1147368/posts

Thank you!