http://www.msnbc.com/news/973011.asp

 

This is the first major church official to acknowledge that he most likely only has a few months left.

 

I just hope that they do not push him to continue visiting nations and let him die with peace.

That is kinda sad, but kinda good. He has suffered so much physically. Hopefully they will get a new pope quickly and appropriately.

after 25 years you need a change in leadership.

 

 

i have been wanting to see jpII take the step and resign from the papacy in order to bring in a guy that could do the job the way it needs to be done.

 

 

that and many of jpII's ideas are far behind the times.

 

 

i am hopeful that a new more progressive pope is elected and that the pope is non-European.

 

The last thing the Catholic Church needs is another damn European pope that will continue the same things.

 

 

Granted I am Catholic, but I don't take the word from Rome as Gospel Truth, instead interpreting as I choose and doing what I feel is right, because ultimately that is the key. Its going to come down to me and the big man one day....not me and the pope.

The church needs to change.

 

I grew up between the Catholic and Baptist churches so they are quite different (Baptists don't dance) but yet similar (Both believe in Christ).

Well considering Baptists' roots are in the Catholic Church, it would only make sense that they are similar.

the next pope needs to be a non-European.

 

 

if not....

 

 

i wouldnt be shocked to see the American branch of the Catholic Church seriously consider breaking off from the Roman Catholic Church.

It seems unlikely that he will be European seeing that the biggest non-euro canidate died a few years back(He's from where I live but for some reason I forget his name).

 

My opinion on this newsis even if your Protestant, or any other group that does not belive in the story around him, it's still a man who lived his life dedicated to god and lived a morale life. Come on he forgave the guy that shot him.

 

I don't see The Church breaking off but I do see a line beginning to set.

you have to admire JPII.....

 

 

but its time for hte Church to move into the 19th century.

 

 

and dont be surprised if the American side of the Catholic Church breaks off.

 

 

I am almost positive there has never been a pope from this side of the world.

 

 

In fact there SHOULD be more Cardinals representing the United States, especially considering the monetary power this country has and the many Catholics in the United States.

 

 

If a non-European is elected Pope....this is 'probably' no longer an issue..

 

 

but if it is a European...and I have no clue who they would elect.....things could really get 'interesting'

The American side won't break because

 

1) Many of the Cardinals are from Europe.

2) They need the $$$$ from the Vatican to help defend all these claims against them and keep the churches running.

oh please.

 

 

it doesnt matter where the cardinals are from.

 

 

as far as the money....the dioseces' raise the money for their legal funds...

 

 

where do you think the Vatican gets their money?

On the 15th of this month, just a couple days ago John Paul II celebrated his 25th year in the papacy.

 

Here is a little story about it, but its farily obvious that the end is near for this great man. It will be interesting where the Catholic Church goes with the next pope. Do we go back to a Italian pope? other European pope? maybe not from the European continent? It remains to be seen and should be interesting at the very least and can definitely affect the future of the Church.

 

There are some interesting thoughts in this article, feel free to discuss them and I definitely encourage it.

 

http://www.cnn.com/2003/WORLD/europe/10/15...sary/index.html

 

John Paul marks 25 years as pope

 

VATICAN CITY --The world's Roman Catholic cardinals and thousands of worshippers are descending on Rome to mark Pope John Paul II's 25th anniversary as pontiff.

 

St. Peter's Square was packed Wednesday to hear the pontiff speak at his weekly general audience. His voice was strong but he had difficulty uttering his words at times, The Associated Press reported.

 

Speaking in his native language to Polish pilgrims, the pope said: "I thank you from my heart for being here today and during all these 25 years. I am happy I can count on your spiritual support."

 

He also spoke in Italian, inviting other pilgrims and residents of Rome to join him at Thursday's anniversary Mass "to praise the Lord and thank him for this happy event."

 

The pope, who is the third-longest serving pontiff, will oversee a series of events during the week's celebrations, including the beatification of Mother Teresa and the creation of 31 new cardinals.

 

Many see the elevation to the College of Cardinals -- the elite group that will choose his successor -- as an attempt by an ailing pope to influence the selection.

 

Rumors have circulated that the 83-year-old pope, who suffers from Parkinsons' Disease and has difficulty walking and talking, may resign. Vatican officials deny this. (Full story)

 

The last pope to willingly quit was Celestine V, who stepped down in 1294.

 

Pope John Paul II's deteriorating health was most evident during his visit to Slovakia last month, where for the first time in 102 foreign trips he was unable to complete his arrival speech.

 

The world's cardinals, presidents of bishops' conferences, heads of major Vatican departments and patriarchs have been invited to Wednesday's speeches.

 

Two speeches will be delivered, but the pope is not expected to attend. It is believed he will be at the lengthy Mass Thursday, which will be a test of his stamina. Official delegations from several countries have been invited.

 

The beatification of Mother Teresa on Sunday will break with tradition. John Paul has speeded things for the nun, who cared for the destitute, by waiving the mandatory five-year waiting period before formal evaluation of a candidate for beatification can begin. (Full story)

 

The pope has created more saints and beatified more people than any pontiff in history -- more than all the previous popes combined. He has named 477 men and women as saints, and beatified a further 1,318.

 

He has also traveled more, spoken more and published more than any of his predecessors.

 

CNN's Walter Rodgers says the pope has been "dynamic" during his 25 years. "It was not just logging the miles ... but the message that the church is global, not just Roman."

 

Rodgers said the pope was also attributed with helping heal the breach with Jews, visiting a synagogue, and helping bring down the Soviet system with his support for the Polish Solidarity movement.

 

But Pope John Paul, elected as a compromise and the first-non Italian pontiff in 455 years, has remained deeply rooted in conservative Catholicism during a time of change -- opposing gay marriage and women priests.

 

He has come in for criticism for such stances, being branded a pope of the fifth-century rather than one who has been at its head as the church enters the 21st.

 

Frances Kissling, head of Catholics for a Free Choice in Washington, said: "He will go down as a fifth-century pope in terms of who women are."

 

Critics are a small and low-profile minority, partly because the Vatican has effectively crushed much unorthodox theological debate by barring openly critical thinkers from teaching and publishing with official approval, Reuters said.

 

One of those banned is Swiss theologian Hans Kueng, who was banned from teaching in 1979. He has criticized the pope for refusing to end priestly celibacy, ordain women or ease the church's strict sexual morality stand.

 

But the pope has not escaped criticism from traditionalists either.

 

Conservatives who reject the Vatican II's reforms and clung to the Latin Mass have been disappointed by the pope's refusal to share their stand. They have also criticized him for showing reverence for Islam's holy book, the Koran, during a visit to a mosque.