[processing please hold]

78 years old,

Why do they choose such old Pope's? His health will become an issue before too long then they'll have to go through the process again.

[dfwgator]

I thought after such a long reign for JP II, they wanted the next Pope to be a continuation, rather than a big change. I suspect the next Pope will be younger. But JP II's shoes are so big to fill, that to try to do it right away may not be the best thing.

[fatnotlazy]

Why do they choose such old Pope's? His health will become an issue before too long then they'll have to go through the process again.

***

I heard somewhere that certain cardinals were not pleased that Pope John Paul II lasted so long; so speculation was that the next Pope would be older. For some reason they don't like Popes to be around so long that they "make their mark." Seems silly to me. Kinda reminds me of the old Soviet premiers -- for a while there they were electing guys with one foot in the grave and the other on a banana peel.

[Aggie Mama]

Why do they choose such old Pope's? His health will become an issue before too long then they'll have to go through the process again

The Holy Spirit chooses the Pope. All the cardinals have to do is listen.

[samantha]

He is a man of God and a real believer obviously,and studies have shown these are the people that live the longest. He will be having his meals cooked by the best people around to keep him healthy,he will get plenty of exercise visiting all his faithful in Africa and South America where the greatest Growth of Catholics has come. He will have a duty to be there for us. If John Paul II had not been shot he would still be healthy and alive.

[Conservative til I die]

Why do they choose such old Pope's? His health will become an issue before too long then they'll have to go through the process again.

Two reasons: 1) Pope Benedict XVI's age made him a more viable choice, as the Cardinals often like to take a bit of a breather after a long, active, monumental papacy, such as John Paul II's. Being 78 means he probably won't stick around for 20-25 years. 2) Since the cardinals themselves are usually older, you're not likely to see a 40-something Pope. Of course, JP2 was only 58.