Any Sign of White Smoke Yet?

[armaghniac]

As he is relatively old and as retirement is now on the cards, he too may have a fairly short reign.

[Armaghgeddon]

As he is relatively old and as retirement is now on the cards, he too may have a fairly short reign.

Was thinking, he might be a trial run to see how catholics react to a pope that is more relaxed with certain views.

[Maguire01]

Approves of contraception...

BBC say the opposite.

[Minder]

Approves of contraception...

BBC say the opposite.

According to a Guardian article he believes condoms "can be permissible", to prevent infection.

[dillinger]

The Falklands will be free very soon......

Take more than an army of men in frocks.

[The Iceman]

It doesn't matter what his opinion was before on anything lads. The Pope is not the boss. He's like the U.S President, he needs congress and the senate before anything really can be changed. The church will look to him for guidance but there is a whole plethora of Cardinals and Bishops who will continue to guide the church "with" him.

He will have clout, there is no doubt about that but he won't be changing up core teaching on anything. He might help influence the weeding out of some bad elements, he might influence the re-setting of the ship and cleaning up some of the mess but he wont do anything overnight.
We won't be able to judge his capabilities or his influence I think until at least a few years into his pontificate or until he is finished.

what are your thoughts on the predictions of Nostradamus? According to him this is the last Pope. At 76 that doesn't leave much time you would imagine.  Is the end of the World upon us?

[mayogodhelpus@gmail.com]

The Falklands will be free very soon......

Take more than an army of men in frocks.

History shows all it takes for the Argentinians to defeat the Brits, is for a Mayoman to lead them 

[mayogodhelpus@gmail.com]

It doesn't matter what his opinion was before on anything lads. The Pope is not the boss. He's like the U.S President, he needs congress and the senate before anything really can be changed. The church will look to him for guidance but there is a whole plethora of Cardinals and Bishops who will continue to guide the church "with" him.

He will have clout, there is no doubt about that but he won't be changing up core teaching on anything. He might help influence the weeding out of some bad elements, he might influence the re-setting of the ship and cleaning up some of the mess but he wont do anything overnight.
We won't be able to judge his capabilities or his influence I think until at least a few years into his pontificate or until he is finished.

what are your thoughts on the predictions of Nostradamus? According to him this is the last Pope. At 76 that doesn't leave much time you would imagine.  Is the end of the World upon us?

Bloody hell Iceman, "Nostradamus", you would believe anything wouldn't you.

[Captain Obvious]

It doesn't matter what his opinion was before on anything lads. The Pope is not the boss. He's like the U.S President, he needs congress and the senate before anything really can be changed. The church will look to him for guidance but there is a whole plethora of Cardinals and Bishops who will continue to guide the church "with" him.

He will have clout, there is no doubt about that but he won't be changing up core teaching on anything. He might help influence the weeding out of some bad elements, he might influence the re-setting of the ship and cleaning up some of the mess but he wont do anything overnight.
We won't be able to judge his capabilities or his influence I think until at least a few years into his pontificate or until he is finished.

what are your thoughts on the predictions of Nostradamus? According to him this is the last Pope. At 76 that doesn't leave much time you would imagine.  Is the end of the World upon us?

No.

[BennyCake]

The first Jesuit Pope. Rome never favoured the Jesuits in the past. Too fond of the poor.

That priest from Father Ted was right.  Those "Jesuits have it all tied up!".  Father Jack had no chance!

[Eamonnca1]

[T Fearon]

In the space of 24hours ,Pope Francis has superseded Lionel Messi as the most famous Argentinian plying his trade in Europe.

[Shamrock Shore]

what are your thoughts on the predictions of Nostradamus?

That charlatan did not mention Popes as far as I know. You're thinking of St. Malachy.

Malachy was from Armagh.....................enough said!

[Dougal Maguire]

The Sun has front page photo of Pope waving to the crowd under the headline Hand of God

[Tubberman]

Well that's a fundamental Catholic belief, I wouldn't expect him to say anything different. I don't have a problem with the Catholic Church not advocating same-sex marriage.
The quote doesn't say anything about homosexuality in general - not sure if he has said anything on that.