Pope read last rites

**blobbyblob** · 01/04/2005, 7:00 PM

Please change the subject until the Vatican make an announcement. The man is still alive. A bit of respect please

**Metrostars** · 01/04/2005, 7:20 PM

Originally Posted by anti dub

According to TV3, he's just died.

Apparently not as the Vatican has denied he is dead.

**colblimp** · 01/04/2005, 8:01 PM

No, he's still hanging on but he now has kidney and heart failure. I don't think he's long for this world to be honest...

thecorner · 01/04/2005, 8:13 PM

seems to more of a matter of mins/hours than days

**beautifulrock** · 01/04/2005, 8:32 PM

Yes the reports are getting worse and it would seem only to be a matter of time. RTE news are extending their broadcast until 10 o clock, Sky news flash say "blood pressure has worsened". A sad day and I can still clearly remember his trip to Ireland, a trip at that time lite up a country that was economically a very dark place. Cant really remember the death of Pope PAul or Pope John Paul 1 but the news coverage is quite amazing almost wall to wall since early today on all news stations.

**pineapple stu** · 01/04/2005, 11:38 PM

Originally Posted by Poor Student

The pope's view on retirement is I think to quote him 'Jesus did not come down from the cross'. In respect of the suffering of Christ in the crucifiction I think he sees himself as being able to do no less in the service of his followers.

I think I agree with that, to be honest. The papacy has been going for nearly 2,000 years and there's no need to go breaking tradition now.

**blobbyblob** · 02/04/2005, 8:09 AM

"He has not lost conciousness but is in a serious stable condition" - Polish priest.

While I do pray regularly, I wouldn't consider myself a devout Catholic(however thats defined). All being said though, Pope John Paul II's imminent passing is having a profound effect on me.

I think were in the presence of greatness and should be greatful for that. As in most situations like this, we don't appreciate them until they have gone. Im sure he will find his rightful place in heaven when the time comes.

**Poor Student** · 02/04/2005, 1:13 PM

Originally Posted by blobbyblob

"He has not lost conciousness but is in a serious stable condition" - Polish priest.

While I do pray regularly, I wouldn't consider myself a devout Catholic(however thats defined). All being said though, Pope John Paul II's imminent passing is having a profound effect on me.

I think were in the presence of greatness and should be greatful for that. As in most situations like this, we don't appreciate them until they have gone. Im sure he will find his rightful place in heaven when the time comes.

I don't think it would be an exagguration to say he is one of the if not the greatest popes ever. Prior to Pope John XXIII (1958-63) the papcy never really stepped up to meet it's global role. In fact prior to Garibaldi and Cavour uniting Italy it was far too concerned with its territories and interfering in Italian and European politics. The loss of its territory has been a blessing I think. Pope John Paul II has really embraced the global stature of the church and conducted over 100 foreign visits in his time as pope spanning all continents something unheard of before. He was the first pope to visit many countries including Ireland. His visits to his native Poland were intrumental in inspiring Solidarnosc the main movement behind bringing democarcy to Poland. Also in respect to prejudices he really brought the church into the 20th century asking for forgiveness from Jews and Orthodox for sins commited against them by Catholics and becoming the first pope to visit a Synagogue and a Mosque.

**Partizan** · 02/04/2005, 1:29 PM

Originally Posted by Poor Student

I don't think it would be an exagguration to say he is one of the if not the greatest popes ever. Prior to Pope John XXIII (1958-63) the papcy never really stepped up to meet it's global role. In fact prior to Garibaldi and Cavour uniting Italy it was far too concerned with its territories and interfering in Italian and European politics. The loss of its territory has been a blessing I think. Pope John Paul II has really embraced the global stature of the church and conducted over 100 foreign visits in his time as pope spanning all continents something unheard of before. He was the first pope to visit many countries including Ireland. His visits to his native Poland were intrumental in inspiring Solidarnosc the main movement behind bringing democarcy to Poland. Also in respect to prejudices he really brought the church into the 20th century asking for forgiveness from Jews and Orthodox for sins commited against them by Catholics and becoming the first pope to visit a Synagogue and a Mosque.

Although the Pope was my ideological enemy (I disagreed with him on many things, abortion, divorce, criminalisation of homosexuality, his unreleneting attacks on socialism, Yugoslavia, USSR, Cuba, Sandanistas, Archbishop Romero, his lovey dovey with Reagan, Thacther and Tudjman) I wish His Holiness all my deepest sympathy in his final hours.

**S�C** · 02/04/2005, 1:37 PM

Originally Posted by Partizan

Although the Pope was my ideological enemy (I disagreed with him on many things, abortion, divorce, criminalisation of homosexuality, his unreleneting attacks on socialism, Yugoslavia, USSR, Cuba, Sandanistas, Archbishop Romero, his lovey dovey with Reagan, Thacther and Tudjman) I wish His Holiness all my deepest sympathy in his final hours.

But he is a socialist, in the South American/Christian model. He was a committed trade unionist, very much involved with the Polish resistence during WW2 and compainged strongly on many social issues such as 3rd world death. He was, however, opposed to brutal distatorships, such the Nazi's, the USSR and the commie dictatorship in his native Poland.

**Partizan** · 02/04/2005, 1:48 PM

he indeed was a socialist, a Christian Socialist which is a conservative ideology. his views on contraception, divorce, womens' rights and criminializing of homosexuals was anything but enlightening.

His compasion of the poor was amazing and as people here have rightly pointed out, he was the first to champion the cause of the abolition of Third World debt long before the over inflated ego of Bono touched it.

The Pope was a very serene and passionate man who cared deeply about the Third World which was one of the few things I liked about him.

As for the successor, well, after all has been said and done, the Church will face some serious questions as to its future direction. It remins me of late 1980's and the state of the socialist world. It was rotten to the core, yes but now so is the institution called the Vatican. So many similarities with the Church today and the USSR in 1985. Old men, stuck in old impracticle ways out of touch with the masses.

**liam88** · 02/04/2005, 6:24 PM

Sitting here in Cork airport almost crying and not ashamed.
The greatest man alive today and probably the greatest man to walk the earth since Jesus is about to enter in Jesus' kingdom.
Pope John Paul II is the best Pope ever and he's goin g to live on in all Catholics as well as the Muslims, Jews and Anglicans he reached out to-they are preying for him now and respected himthroughout.
I'm going to make sure his memory lives on-God Bless you my Pope.

The Pope of Popes will live on forever.
"Jesus rememer me when you come into your kingdom"

**exile** · 02/04/2005, 8:08 PM

the pope has passed away

skynews

thecorner · 02/04/2005, 8:17 PM

R.i.p.

**Jon'o** · 02/04/2005, 8:21 PM

R.i.p

**Thunderblaster** · 02/04/2005, 8:28 PM

Pope John Paul II passed away at 9:37 (Italian Time) this evening. May all the forumites pray for the repose of his soul. Eternal Rest grant to Him Lord and may the Perpetual Light shine upon Him. May His soul and all the souls of the Faithful Departed, through the Mercy of God, Rest in Peace. Amen.

**Fair_play_boy** · 02/04/2005, 8:44 PM

Il Papa e morto. Il Papa e morto. I don't know what language this is, but when I heard those words shouted by a kid on holiday in a caravan park in August 1978, it signalled the end of an era for me, as Pope Paul VI was the only pope I remembered since I was born. A month later, I remember being scared when the RTE 7.30 am news said It is with deep regret that we announce the death of Pope John Paul.Tonight, my own children are a little scared at the news that the Pope has died.
May he Rest In Peace.

**blobbyblob** · 02/04/2005, 9:11 PM

May he rest in peace. He's taken up his rightful place in heaven tonight. May we always remember that we were lucky enough to live in the presence of greatness.

RIP