Well your post was directed to me so I assumed that it was directed towards me. However I stand by what I said about these kinds of times will be exactly when these questions will be asked, and I think that the Pope would be glad to know that even in his illness and passing he is inspiring this. So in light of that I think that the (sincere) asking of questions and answers is a legitimate way to honor him and his legacy. I do not wish to start a flame war or any such thing I just feel that this IS the time and place for questions as the very nature of this time and place inspires them to begin with.
That's OK. The thread has now essentially and effectively been hijacked anyway, away from the Pope's condition, into doctrinal issues and arguments. Sorry if I hit the "reply" specifically to you.
As Protestants, we use terms that are similar by carry different meanings, as in the case of "praying to saints". When a RC says they are "praying", they don't mean they are offering prayer as we think of prayer, being the sweet aroma of incense wafting up to our God but to them a prayer to a saint or Mary is a means of communication to ask for intercession. Personally, I believe the practice is heterodox and has no legitimate Biblical foundation, however, it is a side issue and not one of an essential nature to salvation. Having said that, Roman Catholic soteriology(method of salvation) is an essential issue, and is one that in discussion I generally hold to. All others are side issues.
To learn more about the differences in RC soteriology and biblical salvation, try studying at the following site:
www.monergism.com
God bless.