Post by T. Miller on Apr 4, 2005 8:11:15 GMT -5
It's a strange feeling to me that the Pope is gone now. He's been Pope since I was born, so he's the only Pope I've ever known. He was a fixture of my world, much like Ronny Reagan until he finally got elected out, or Dick Clark and his ageless self before he stepped onto the back burner somewhere.
Since he was so ill, his death is certainly not unexpected, but still a loss all the same. I didn't agree with some of his views, but I still had a tremendous respect for the man and what he was trying to do in the world. I felt the best way for me personally to note his passing was to spend the day reflecting on him and various things about the world, but was very surprised to note how other people approached his death. I attend mass at a Catholic church. Most would think that his death would be a huge thing to the Catholic sector, and in many large cities, there was footage showing that this was so. At a more local level, things seemed very different. As I went in Sunday a.m. and encountered various people, most seem like nothing happened, even among the extremely devoted. A photo of the Pope was moved to a more prominent position, and a sentence or two was said for him during mass, but otherwise, the subject was treated very lightly. The two concerns I heard was a) what colour stole should the choir wear (white, as per normal, and not something different for such a large Catholic event) and b) that there were none of the usual post-mass donuts (I heard the comment "We got no Pope, so no donuts!" which was kind of odd).
I don't expect somber and greyness since this death was so expected, but maybe more note to be taken since this was someone so influential and recognized throughout the world. Or maybe I'm just wierd? I would have thought there would be more respect, I guess. I'm glad he's no longer so sick, though, and he has no further loss of dignity. I am interested in witnessing the process of naming a new Pope, even though I thought that would be a once or twice a lifetime event. Since they seem to be gearing for a more elderly replacement, then I guess this is a 3 or 4 times a lifetime event. It takes away from the mystery a bit. And would a younger Pope be so bad? Maybe not in his 20s or 30s, but 50s or 60s? Sure. I think they would have the experience and the cognitave capability to perform the job, instead of an elderly gent in need of constant assistance and pupeteering. Maybe that's too progressive in thinking...
Since he was so ill, his death is certainly not unexpected, but still a loss all the same. I didn't agree with some of his views, but I still had a tremendous respect for the man and what he was trying to do in the world. I felt the best way for me personally to note his passing was to spend the day reflecting on him and various things about the world, but was very surprised to note how other people approached his death. I attend mass at a Catholic church. Most would think that his death would be a huge thing to the Catholic sector, and in many large cities, there was footage showing that this was so. At a more local level, things seemed very different. As I went in Sunday a.m. and encountered various people, most seem like nothing happened, even among the extremely devoted. A photo of the Pope was moved to a more prominent position, and a sentence or two was said for him during mass, but otherwise, the subject was treated very lightly. The two concerns I heard was a) what colour stole should the choir wear (white, as per normal, and not something different for such a large Catholic event) and b) that there were none of the usual post-mass donuts (I heard the comment "We got no Pope, so no donuts!" which was kind of odd).
I don't expect somber and greyness since this death was so expected, but maybe more note to be taken since this was someone so influential and recognized throughout the world. Or maybe I'm just wierd? I would have thought there would be more respect, I guess. I'm glad he's no longer so sick, though, and he has no further loss of dignity. I am interested in witnessing the process of naming a new Pope, even though I thought that would be a once or twice a lifetime event. Since they seem to be gearing for a more elderly replacement, then I guess this is a 3 or 4 times a lifetime event. It takes away from the mystery a bit. And would a younger Pope be so bad? Maybe not in his 20s or 30s, but 50s or 60s? Sure. I think they would have the experience and the cognitave capability to perform the job, instead of an elderly gent in need of constant assistance and pupeteering. Maybe that's too progressive in thinking...