DISCORSO DEL SANTO PADRE (Text Of Pope John Paul II Speech)

The Vatican ^ | 6/04/2004 | Vatican News Services

[Rippin]

Do you think he is referring to additional terror attacks or Abu Ghraib? I say the later.

I think he's referring to reports that there are some pedophiles reportedly spotted in America somewhere.

[montag813]

overcoming the increasingly intolerable conditions in various African countries, where the suffering caused by fratricidal conflicts, pandemic illnesses and a degrading poverty can no longer be overlooked.

As usual the Pope leaves out the real reason for most of the African suffering--ISLAM. Just as he turns a blind eye to the mass-murder of Christians by Muslims worldwide, all while he has nauseatingly praised Islam as one of the "great religions". What happened to his fire in the belly which he used so effectively to help bring down the Evil Empire? Is he so blind as to not realize that Islam is the same kind of enemy...but worse?

[Aquinasfan]

Why does the Pope have to DIE in office? Why can't he step down?

As far as I know, he can step down legitimately, for reasons of incapacitation, although this would be unprecedented. This is new territory.

Here's what little I know. I believe that the only pope to resign was roundly (if not formally) condemned after a short reign for the reason that he was refusing the Holy Spirit in a most grave matter, his selection as leader of the Universal Church.

I imagine that the tradition of dying in office goes back to St. Peter.

[spookycc]

God bless America!

...but she's not allowed to defend herself or to pre-emptively attack to rid the world of a murderous regime.