[Steve_Seattle]

I was raised Catholic and - as a youth in the 50s and 60s - was always surprised by how strongly some Protestants reacted to the papacy. For me, the pope was a far-off figure who had little relevance to everyday life. He was kind of like what I think the President should be, i.e., kind of a personification of the values of the group, not a presumed master of everything and solver of all problems. To me, Pope Pius XII and President Eisenhower remain the image of what leadership should look like.

I wouldn't be disappointed if Vatican City was sold off to the Italian government as a huge museum, and the pope and curia moved to more modest quarters.

Meanwhile, there will continue to be opulence in Christian leadership, as with the mansions of Joel Osteen and other televangelists. They have their own problems to deal with.

[Salvation]

If you are a baptized and confirmed Catholic you will always be a Catholic. The marks on your soul from those Sacraments will always be there.

So you may not be an active Catholic. Sit down with a priest and get your questions answered.

[miss marmelstein]

What a great post! I, too, remember when US presidents were not forced to confront local disasters like Harvey and yet here we are today watching for the president to make one false move on the situation! And we watch Popes like they were movie stars. It’s insane.