Break-Dancers Perform For The Pope, Get His Blessing

AP ^ | January 26, 2004 | The Associated Press

[Francisco]

VATICAN CITY -- In an unusual spectacle at the Vatican, Pope John Paul II presided Sunday over a performance of break-dancers who leaped, flipped and spun their bodies to beats from a tinny boom box.

The 83-year-old pontiff seemed to approve, waving his hand after each dancer completed a move, then applauding for the entire group. He watched the performance from a raised throne.

"For this creative hard work I bless you from my heart," he said.

During the show, one dancer -- part of a Polish group that helps poor and marginalized youths -- planted his head on the inlaid marble floor of the Vatican hall and spun to loud applause from his group and from Vatican officials. Another performer flung his body around in a series of spins and handstands.

"Artistic talent is a gift from God and whoever discovers it in himself has a certain obligation: to know that he cannot waste this talent, but must develop it," John Paul said.

Earlier Sunday, members of an Italian Catholic youth organization enthusiastically cheered the pope's weekly remarks in St. Peter's Square. A few were invited into his papal apartment and helped him release doves from his window.

The pope, who suffers numerous ailments but appeared relatively strong Sunday, called out to the other children cheering below his window.

"I love you all. I love you very much," he said.

[presidio9]

A pope that approves of break-dancing might approve of most anything.

Are you saying that break dancing is inherently evil?

It isn't just the insane dancing, if you'll recall a few years ago the pope was in the polynesian islands watching bare-breasted young nubiles dancing for his enjoyment. He approved of that as well.

Again, there is nothing sinful about the human body. There are naked figures on the ceiling of the Sisteen Chapel. Is that sinful?

I believe this pontiff gave Martin Scorsese an audience not too long ago. I wonder if the holy father approved of Martin's Last Temtation of Christ picture?

The Pope denounced that film publically. I was wondering whether somone wouls bring it up to challenge my assertion that the Pope is not a movie critic. Of course, when the Pope denounced that movie, he made no comment on its quality as a film (I saw it, it is borderline unwatchable). He dissented on the film's incorrect message on the life of Christ.

As for Scorsese's audience, the Pope gives lots of those. And he gives them to all manner of people. He hates the sin and loves the sinner, just like Christ taught him to.

I don't believe Christ is happy with His Church and how opportunites have been squandered!

What would you have done differently, oh Divine Armchair Quarterback?

[Canticle_of_Deborah]

Just tell me it wasn't during Mass.

[sine_nomine]

I cannot find the off button for my self-editing and proofing feauture. Had to say it. Now I feel better. Thanks.

[AnAmericanMother]

No problem. I was just embarassed because I ordinarily proof everything. Got in a hurry.

(for "faeuture" read "feature".) ;-)

[AnAmericanMother]

I have always enjoyed that story, being a person with quirky if not downright odd "gifts". But "omnia in gloriam Dei facite."

IIRC, Tomie de Paola did a wonderful version with beautiful illustrations.

Found it! Under a different title:

[sine_nomine]

That's what I deserve for correcting you.

[sinkspur]

Your post is the nuttiest thing I've read on FR in quite some time.

[sinkspur]

I don't believe Christ is happy with His Church and how opportunites have been squandered!

How do you know? Did he tell you?

As for John Paul meeting with Martin Scorcese, Jesus ate and drank with "sinners" too.

At least, that's what the Pharisees called them.

And you know what Jesus thought of the Pharisees, Jesse.

[AnAmericanMother]

As Don Camillo said as he jumped into the ditch beside Peppone and his Tommy-gun . . . .

"Truce of God! and whoever breaks it is damned!"

If you haven't run across Guareschi's books about Don Camillo, they're great.

[attagirl]

I'm with you on this one. It's not like it was at St. Peter's, for Pete's sake!

[Jacinta]

While Nero Fiddles, Rome Burns.

Apparently scandal upon scandal upon scandal in the Church has had a cumulative effect. Even the traditionalists have succumbed. "It's not like it was in St. Peter's... it wasn't at Mass." The Catholic Church is being systematically destroyed, and the Pope pronounces inanities while people spin on their heads before him. Madness? Not even to the traditionalists.

[cyborg]

I am shocked at the posts regarding the young people breakdancing. Thanks for bringing something positive to this thread. I think it was St.John Boscoe who was a bit of a clown himself. Did people get up on the wrong side of the bed today or something?

[sinkspur]

The Catholic Church is being systematically destroyed, and the Pope pronounces inanities while people spin on their heads before him. Madness?,

The Church is not being destroyed, and the Pope is just having a little fun.

Can't the Pope have a little fun?

People with no sense of humor can never be saints. Remember that.

[cyborg]

Some people take the joy out of worshipping God, and make religion a burden to be hated. Same people turn around and wonder why people are leaving the church in droves (and its not because of child molesters either).

[Jacinta]

people are leaving the church in droves (and its not because of child molesters either

Right, they leave when people protest child molestation and protest the hierarchy's refusal to address the plague. Molesting a child is a small matter when compared with protesting that the Pope and Bishops have handed the Church over to sexual predators.

[cyborg]

Most people i know who are RC still go to church and have not stopped being Catholics because of pedophile priests.

[sine_nomine]

Thank you!

[fatima]

If the Pope liked them,I liked them,used to work with Break-Dancers for Christ,:)these kids had guts.I wonder what the posters on FR did in public for Christ on TV in the teen years.Only in Teen years in public.

[Ant_biter]

"Why isn't the Pope in his declining years cleaning the pedophiles and queers out of the Catholic Clergy instead of watching "break" dancing."

Good point, it's a complicated problem indeed.
The Church is also a "hospital for sinners". A hospital can not just get rid of all the patients and declairs itself to be "clear, healthy and free of illness". In fairness, the church does reprimend the pedophiled and queer priests only maybe not to the extents as you and I expected. Saving souls wherever possible is still the primary goal and we may disagree the methods of implementation.

[AnAmericanMother]

St. John Bosco is a pretty neat saint.

His picture is in my son's room.