This is so sad. Rest in Peace.

A very nice picture, indeed.

I dragged out a special that we did during World Youth Day in Denver -- and when it ended and I stopped the machine, it was on NBC News and I learned the Pope has died.

I have seen some of the video from "my" venue which was the Prayer Vigil and Papal Mass at Cherry Creek State Park on network and local coverage.

I am a Presbyterian, and have directed just about everything you can imagine when it comes to news -- I just can't explain how directing that world pool feed affected me. Words fail me, but the man's presence was remarkable.

At times during the broadcast, I was nearly speechless -- which is not such a great thing for the director. After the Mass, I went to the pool operations control room, and the executive producer asked me if I realized that I was whispering at times. I did. He was just mesmerizing.

Still way too early since the College of Cardinals hasn't met, but would you think that the next Pope could name himself John Paul III?

Are there any naming conventions for Popes? I know that the previous Pope was John Paul I.

I believe that they get to choose their papal name. I think I heard that John Paul I combined two different pope's names who he had respected, and as JPI died so quickly, John Paul II took the same name.

Please feel free to correct me, though, as I'm not a Catholic (although in my senior year, I found out that I had enough credits for a Religious Studies major, but had already chosen two).

My first thought was of a Polish soccer player I know, who had the chance to meet the Pope. He had a wonderful photo of himself, kissing the Papal ring.

If my memory serves me, you are correct. The previous Popes before John Paul I were Pope John and Pope Paul. Since John Paul I only reigned about a month, Cardinal Wojtlya chose John Paul II for himself.

Since this was about the time of the original Star Wars, and little round headed droids, The Pope's "name" around our Detroit TV newsroom was J2P2.

The question's pretty much been answered but like royalty, the reigning monarch (or Pope) can choose his name by which he is to be known as Supreme Pontiff.

Which is why Prince Charles has four different names to choose from: Charles Philip Arthur George. He could also pick a totally different name. (Prince William's given names are William Arthur Philip Louis, and Prince Henry ('Harry') is Henry Charles Albert David.)

A sad day for the Catholic Church. May he rest in peace.

I'm all for a Pope John Paul George. And when we get to Pope John Paul George Ringo the Church will be rockin'.

There was an article in the Des Moines Register yesterday that quoted a pastor saying "we are losing our connection between Heaven and Earth"... I think he needs to reread his bible where there's this story about this Jesus guy who come down from Heaven to Earth...

Cute, but not original. That came up almost immediately when John Paul I chose his name.

And one of the Beatles even wore white on Abby Road.

Deep.

There was a small memorial set up in the Boston Commons, at the monument commemorating the Pope's visit to Boston in the late 70s. It's actually quite a touching scene to see people walk over, say a prayer and pay their respects.

the media is starting to irk me a bit with "will Italy win the papacy back?"

...this is a religious leader, not some sports trophy!!!

I guess that's fair, but it was already a discussion here on GC before the Pope died.

It seems to be something people are interested in.

but ours was more a discussion and speculation. Turn on the TV- Any minute now I'm expecting there to be a list of odds and a "point spread" on the cardinals considered to be papabili.