Posted on 04/19/2005 8:53:39 AM PDT by Rutles4Ever
WE HAVE A POPE!!!
You're welcome.
"In May 1945, thousands of German prisoners of war trudged down the highway toward the Bavarian town of Bad Aibling. Among them — tired but grateful to be alive — was 18-year-old Joseph Ratzinger, who just days before had risked death by deserting the German army.
"In three days of marching, we hiked down the empty highway, in a column that gradually became endless," the future pope recalled years later in his memoirs.
"The American soldiers photographed us, the young ones, most of all, in order to take home souvenirs of the defeated army and its desolate personnel."
Like his predecessor, John Paul II, Ratzinger — now Pope Benedict XVI — was marked by the terror-filled years of World War II. John Paul, then known as Karol Wojtyla, was forced to work in a quarry and narrowly escaped arrest in a mass roundup of young men by the Germans in Krakow; Ratzinger's experiences also were harrowing.
In particular, his decision — in late April or early May, just after he turned military age — to leave his army unit could have cost Ratzinger his life.
At the time, he knew that the dreaded SS units would shoot a deserter on the spot — or hang him from a lamppost as a warning to others. He recorded his terror when he was stopped by other soldiers.
"Thank God they were ones who had had enough of war and did not want to become murderers," he wrote in his book, "Aus meinem Leben," published in English as "Milestones: Memoirs 1927-1977."
"They had to find a reason to let me go. I had my arm in a sling because of an injury."
"Comrade, you are wounded," they told him. "Go on." Soon he was home with his father, Josef, and his mother, Maria.
For years, he and his family had watched the Nazis strengthen their grip on Germany. His father, a policeman and a convinced anti-Nazi, moved the family at least once after clashing with local followers of the party. A local teacher, he remembered, became an ardent follower of the new movement, and tried to institute a pagan May pole ritual as more fitting of Germanic ways than the traditional, conservative Catholicism.
In 1941, Ratzinger, 14, and his brother, Georg, were enrolled in the Hitler Youth when it became mandatory for all boys. Soon after, he records in his book, "The Salt of the Earth," he was let out because of his intention to study for the priesthood.
(snip)
I was at work all day but delighted to follow this thread through all the excitement and joy of the new Pope. Breathtaking - for this Protestant and such wishes of blessings and joy to my Catholic brothers and sisters and to all of Christendom. We are in such a dangerous time in the world's story yet God again is faithful even when we are faithless!
Sounds like a hanging chad.
LOL!! Glad to know my eyes were on straight ;) Sure doesn't look like a feminine member of the species to me.
I take it you don't like Fox?
CBS News: Rottweiler, Grand Inquisitor, Suppressor of Dissent.
Yes, I'm enjoying Satan's squeals too... And I also fell in love with him when he walked out, though I noticed he looked nervous where Karol would have been beaming.
Based upon an exit poll taken from a drunken, lesbian nun in Passaic, New Jersey.
The deathcult of the Judge Greers is why I'm so gratified they chose an elder.
Episcopalian Bishop Gene Robinson
Your post 105 was the first on the thread to nail down the Pope's selection had actually occurred. The excitement and joy of the day's events was clearly transmitted through this miracle of the internet and once again, Free Republic reporters broke the news before the main stream and even the alternative press (Fox, Drudge) had the headline. Well done!
Oh those pics.
I am tearing again.
Thanks so much.
It was a wonderful day, wasn't it?
After it was over, I STOPPED listening to anything anybody on the "shows" said because I wanted to enjoy the moment/day.
Dennis Prager said essentially the same thing.
I noticed you recommended MSNBC earlier in the day. They have their news program on right now and it has been quite informative about this momentous day. I don't watch CNN. Fox has its usual nightly line up on and I can't get EWTN so this is the best summation I can get. I have enjoyed it believe it or now. But reading the "We have a Pope" thread was the best in which to rejoice with all Freeper fellow celebrants. Thanks for the contributions (and the policing that had to be done).
Pope Hugh ?
One of the most exciting things I saw in today's television reporting (and it was simply a fluke that I happened to be home to see it) was the hundreds of Romans pelting along the streets to get to St. Peter's for the announcement and the first blessing. They had managed to stop traffic on some of the big streets and were virtually crawling over the cars to get there.
There's still a spark of faith left in Europe. I hope Benedict XVI can fan the flame.
You have got to tell me: how did you know?
"Dear Heavenly Father, please have mercy on the DUmmies and help them understand your glory as they are consumed in the eternal lake of fire. amen."
Malachy's prediction was "From the Glory of the Olive". The Order of St Benedict were called "the Olivetans". The Olive branch is the symbol of peace. The glory of peace? We will find out if his pontificate reflects this, but the last Pope Benedict struggled for peace during WWI. Perhaps it refers to the glory of the peace that now exists in Europe. Just my two cents.
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