[Pern]

Proof that the old man is getting senile in his old age. Time for him to step down.

...and may God show mercy and forgiveness for the authors of this horrible terror attack,"

Sorry, I can't be so forgiving. May they burn in hell.

[ovrtaxt]

Well, they're dead. Umm, I think it's too late for God to show His mercy on them. Once you're dead, that's it. You have made the choice. He was available to them their whole life. I think the Pope is getting his timing mixed up.

[Green Knight]

but asked for prayers that God would show mercy and forgiveness for the attackers.

I thought forgiveness was only for those who repented of their ways. So unless Osama Bin Laden has since admitted to how wrong his terrorist attacks are, I fail to see even by Christian standards how he or any of the attackers are worthy of forgiveness.

[Preachers Kid]

Oh Please!!! I'm so sick of the political correctness and *understanding* crap.

[Iwentsouth]

The Pope needs to call a Crusade.

[Quilla]

May they be in hell three days before God knows they're dead.

[evad]

Do you reckon that the Pope thinks that "nobody" should wind up in hell??

[sinkspur]

Sorry, I can't be so forgiving. May they burn in hell.

You're not God. All the rest of us sinners are grateful for that.

The Pope is speaking as Christ would have. If Judas asked for forgiveness, he would have been forgiven.

Judgement of another man's soul is above your pay grade.

[Piquaboy]

It is impossible for me to forgive this bunch of fanatics.

[Sabertooth]

"We pray for the victims today, may they rest in peace, and may God show mercy and forgiveness for the authors of this horrible terror attack," he said in Polish, according to a translation provided by Vatican Radio.

I have nothing but the highest regard for Pope John Paul II, but the second part of this statement is the stupidest thing I'm aware that he's said.

May God deal with the attackers of 9/11, and all men of evil, with His infinite wisdom and justice.

[LarryM]

The nonsense that the Pope is babbling shows how much the Church's moral authority has been destroyed.

[Drango]

It is up to God to forgive.

It is our job to introduce all terrorist to him...

[cynicom]

The Pope is in lockstep with denial, how sad. This war is based on Islam trying to destroy Christianity. This country just happens to be the most powerful country in the world and Christian. For Islam that is two strikes against us.

[Kozak]

...and may God show mercy and forgiveness for the authors of this horrible terror attack," Sorry, I can't be so forgiving. May they burn in hell.

Well, I don't have a problem with God showing the bastards mercy, I however feel no such compulsion, and wish each and every one of the Islamic radicals a swift visit to the throne of God....

[carmody]

"One year after September 11, 2001, we repeat that no situation of injustice, no feeling of frustration, no philosophy or religion can justify such an aberration."

Why didn't Reuter highlight this remark? Or the fact that he called the act "ferocious inhumanity"?

[Junior]

The Pope is a man of God, and God did specifically command, through His son, that we forgive our enemies -- seems to me the Pope isn't senile, but is simply being the best Christian he can be.

[uncbob]

but asked for prayers that God would show mercy and forgiveness for the attackers.

Kinda blasphemous insinuating God ( a Pefect Being )needs prayers from humans to show mercy or any other human trait

[Orual]

Giotto, Final Judgement

It appears as if He has two choices, one to the left and one to the right. If JP wants God to forgive these monsters, then who is it he deems horrible enough to be condemned to eternal suffering. No one, is my guess.

[HamiltonJay]

I respect and admire John Paul II, but this is nuts. This is a complete issue of 100% moral clarity, while it is never a mans place to judge the afterlife destination of another, that it indeed for God to decide... there is absolutely no reason whatsoever to pray for mercy on the souls of those who act willfully and wantonly as the agents of Satan.

After a year, I am fully and unquestionably convinced that if Satan himself has a religion, it is the Islamic faith. No religion of a loving creationist god could advocate and promote the killing of Christians and Jews, or any others simply because they do not believe in the faith. Mohammed was a military man, who produced a religion of hatred and violence and then acting as what he felt was the sword of god himself spread the religion through violence... IT is the only religion where the more educated one is, the more likely one is to kill others. It is the only religion where 7 year old girls are decapitated by their fathers to save family honor because they may have been raped or molested. It is the only world religion that treats women as little more than piles of crap, it is no religion of peace or love or kindness.

IT has been a year now, and not one Islamic group has held rallies in the US in support of the country or even in mass demonstrations against the violence that occurred last year... If you are peace loving and love america, why do your leaders worry more about keeping quiet instead of doing what is right? Unless of course they believe the slaughter last year was right. I have seen Muslims celebrating the attacks in my own neighborhood, I have seen them jumping for joy in the middle east and arab lands when innocents were slaughtered... but where are they to condemn these acts? Why do they not wave the US flag in the streets and condemn this? WHy have they not? Because quite frankly they don't want to... They obviously have the ability to rally for things they believe in... The United States for most, even those who share of her bounty daily, it appears is something a vast majority of them do not believe in.

I know not all people who practice Islam are violent hateful murderers, but it is quite obvious those who are not, are not willing to clean up their own house. The religion is the religion of terror and murder and destruction... if it ever was a religion of peace, it has been long ago perverted, and the Islamic community is unwilling or unable to clean its own house. So until you do, please don't feed me the line its a religion of peace, it is not.

[11th Earl of Mar]

I have to side with justice, not mercy, in this case.

[joesnuffy]

09-11 Attackers?...well at least he didnt call these murderous vermin...freedom fighters