Should that be 2 papal funerals and 2 papal elections? Paul VI died in 1978, then John Paul I was elected and died after only a few days in the Holy See, and now JP II.

Actually, I was wrong.

As I was thinking about it, there was one too many names, so I've actually seen three Papal deaths and three elections.

Pope John, died 1963 (I was in high school)
Pope Paul, died 1978 (TV director in Detroit)
Pope John Paul I, died 1978
Pope John Paul II

My best friend at the time who was a producer at the station went to Rome to cover the election of both of the John Pauls.

Yes, that's what I get for posting so early in the mornin' :D

I was thinking "This will be the third"... I wasn't born yet in '63 when the previous papal election had taken place.

DA: Which channel in Detroit?

Popes of recent memory:

Pius XII (Eugenio Cardinal Pacelli)

John XXIII (Angelo Cardinal Roncalli), convened the Vatican II council. Beatified (one step below sainthood) in 2000.

Paul VI (Giovanni Battista Cardinal Montini) was elected to succeed John XXIII in 1963 and finished Vatican II.

John Paul I (Albino Cardinal Luciani) 32 days in office.

John Paul II (Karol Cardinal Wojtyla) 1978-present.

I think it is extremely ridiculous that you think only Catholics get to comment on the status of the Pope and the ramifications of his death. I'm sure you learned in catechism that we are THE LARGEST CHURCH IN THE WORLD and the Pope has enormous political influence compared to the earthly heads of any other religion, so I think that it is logical that any well-educated and informed person would speculate on it.

What happens to the world is everyone's concern. Let's try and be a little more ecumenical, as the Pope himself has urged.

Sorry! I think I mentally consider all of y'all Angels! :) My favorite aunt's best friend was a ZTA (and never let me forget it!).

Good Morning America dedicated pretty much their entire show to PJPII. It was very moving and interesting. :)

This is so sad...John Paul II has been Pope since before I was born, and it's odd knowing that this might be it. Everybody knows he's had health problems for a long time, but somehow you just never think that anything will happen to the Pope...at least I didn't. I'm not Catholic, but I will be sad to see him pass away if that is what ends up happening.

No no no no no - you can't pretend that the Vatican has absolutely no problems to deal with if you allow outsiders to speculate! Jesus, Kath.

-RC
--hey adduncan, how bout that Galileo?

She's got her own issues. The best part is how she just attacked a Catholic and told him he wasn't Catholic so he was wrong. I remember a while ago she attacked others because they commented on the political actions of the Vatican (not the religion) too.

-Rudey

If only GC had a kissy face smiley, like AIM . . .

Considering that what the Pope does affects more people than the actions of basically any government leader -- I think we can all weigh in. And although this is a side issue, where did anyone get the idea that non-Americans don't care about American politics? There are plenty of Canadians on this board alone that disprove that theory.

Silly me, I guess I was too busy learning about THINGS THAT MATTER in my Catholic education to be bothered with why Protestants don't get to talk. :p

The Pope has possibly died
 

Yahoo news http://www.yahoo.com
10:33am, Fri Apr 1PST
"Pope reportedly dead
News agencies report Pope has died; no Vatican confirmation."

:( In tears.

http://yahoo.com

10:56am, Fri Apr 1
"Pope clings to life
Condition worsens; News agency recants on report of Pope's death."