Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Break-Dancers Perform For The Pope, Get His Blessing
AP ^ | January 26, 2004 | The Associated Press

Posted on 01/26/2004 7:56:58 AM PST by 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.


TOPICS: Culture/Society
KEYWORDS: pope; thearts
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-75 next last
To: JesseHousman
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?

41 posted on 01/26/2004 10:47:25 AM PST by presidio9 ("it's not just a toilet, it's a lifestyle.")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 38 | View Replies]

To: Francisco
Just tell me it wasn't during Mass.
42 posted on 01/26/2004 11:29:55 AM PST by Canticle_of_Deborah
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: AnAmericanMother
I cannot find the off button for my self-editing and proofing feauture. Had to say it. Now I feel better. Thanks.
43 posted on 01/26/2004 12:29:52 PM PST by sine_nomine (Protect the weakest of the weak - the unborn babies.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 30 | View Replies]

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

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

44 posted on 01/26/2004 1:53:55 PM PST by AnAmericanMother (. . . sed, ut scis, quis homines huiusmodi intellegere potest?. . .)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 43 | View Replies]

To: saradippity
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:


45 posted on 01/26/2004 2:00:40 PM PST by AnAmericanMother (. . . sed, ut scis, quis homines huiusmodi intellegere potest?. . .)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 28 | View Replies]

To: AnAmericanMother
That's what I deserve for correcting you.
46 posted on 01/26/2004 2:32:38 PM PST by sine_nomine (Protect the weakest of the weak - the unborn babies.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 44 | View Replies]

To: Francisco
Your post is the nuttiest thing I've read on FR in quite some time.
47 posted on 01/26/2004 2:36:35 PM PST by sinkspur (Adopt a shelter dog or cat! You'll save one life, and maybe two!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 29 | View Replies]

To: JesseHousman
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.

48 posted on 01/26/2004 2:38:58 PM PST by sinkspur (Adopt a shelter dog or cat! You'll save one life, and maybe two!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 38 | View Replies]

To: sine_nomine
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.

49 posted on 01/26/2004 2:41:48 PM PST by AnAmericanMother (. . . sed, ut scis, quis homines huiusmodi intellegere potest?. . .)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 46 | View Replies]

To: sitetest
I'm with you on this one. It's not like it was at St. Peter's, for Pete's sake!
50 posted on 01/26/2004 5:40:18 PM PST by attagirl (Proverbs 8:36 explains it all)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 27 | View Replies]

To: Francisco; Loyalist
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.

51 posted on 01/26/2004 8:51:12 PM PST by Jacinta
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 29 | View Replies]

To: AnAmericanMother; All
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?
52 posted on 01/26/2004 8:54:49 PM PST by cyborg
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 22 | View Replies]

To: Jacinta
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.

53 posted on 01/26/2004 8:56:39 PM PST by sinkspur (Adopt a shelter dog or cat! You'll save one life, and maybe two!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 51 | View Replies]

To: sinkspur
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).
54 posted on 01/26/2004 8:58:31 PM PST by cyborg
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 53 | View Replies]

To: cyborg
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.

55 posted on 01/26/2004 9:13:48 PM PST by Jacinta
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 54 | View Replies]

To: Jacinta
Most people i know who are RC still go to church and have not stopped being Catholics because of pedophile priests.
56 posted on 01/26/2004 9:16:51 PM PST by cyborg
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 55 | View Replies]

To: AnAmericanMother
Thank you!
57 posted on 01/26/2004 11:44:43 PM PST by sine_nomine (Protect the weakest of the weak - the unborn babies.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 49 | View Replies]

To: cyborg
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.
58 posted on 01/27/2004 12:08:42 AM PST by fatima (Karen ,Ken 4 ID,Jim-"How long was I in the army? Five foot eleven."Spike Milligan.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 52 | View Replies]

To: hgro
"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.
59 posted on 01/27/2004 12:20:19 AM PST by Ant_biter
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 26 | View Replies]

To: cyborg
St. John Bosco is a pretty neat saint.

His picture is in my son's room.


60 posted on 01/27/2004 5:47:02 AM PST by AnAmericanMother (. . . sed, ut scis, quis homines huiusmodi intellegere potest?. . .)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 52 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-75 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson