General Chat / White smoke today!

I heard on the news that he served the German Army during World War II. Does this mean that he's a Nazi?

Ans so, another swift German occupation of a former Polish territory.

LOL, good one.

Ratzinger was a bad choice for the election. I think that the catholic church has to change its attitude to some topics in modern society - celibate, policy against birth control (especially in Africa) and such things.

But maybe the church hopes to give the people who are left alone in a world of economic value and globalization with massive negative consequences for a big part of society an "escape" with its own values and constancy and therefore thinks the opposite of reformation, stagnation, is the right thing to do. Could be the right choice if I look around and see media and people suddenly caring about church and pope and so on...

MfG
BG

I heard on the news that he served the German Army during World War II. Does this mean that he's a Nazi?

No. He was not a member of the Nazi party, as far as I know, but he was forced into military service, carrying out the orders of the Nazi party, and such, during the tail end of WW2.

Interestingly, during some random pointless research on popes (reading about histories and such), I found that there have been African popes in the past... the distant past...

http://atheism.minin...cy/a/trivia.htm

14. St. Victor I (189 - 199)
First African pope.
First pope to attempt to exert authority outside Rome and neighboring communities. He threatened excommunication for anyone who refused to celebrate Easter on Sunday and was soundly rebuked for it — at this time, the bishop of Rome wasn't justified in telling others what to do like this.

49. St. Gelasius I (492 - 496)
First pope to use the title "Vicar of Christ."
Last pope of African descent (born in Rome, though).


That makes two then... surprisingly... but that was over 1500 years ago. And they were the ONLY two African popes.

Doesn't say if they were actually black, or like Egyptian. *shrug*



Also, the shortest papal reign ever was a measly 12 days.

There was also an unofficial pope (Stephen II) who died three days after he was chosen and was never even officially sworn in and whatnot, so he's debatable.

Interestingly, during some random pointless research on popes (reading about histories and such), I found that there have been African popes in the past... the distant past...

http://atheism.minin...cy/a/trivia.htm

14. St. Victor I (189 - 199)
First African pope.
First pope to attempt to exert authority outside Rome and neighboring communities. He threatened excommunication for anyone who refused to celebrate Easter on Sunday and was soundly rebuked for it — at this time, the bishop of Rome wasn't justified in telling others what to do like this.

49. St. Gelasius I (492 - 496)
First pope to use the title "Vicar of Christ."
Last pope of African descent (born in Rome, though).


That makes two then... surprisingly... but that was over 1500 years ago. And they were the ONLY two African popes.

Doesn't say if they were actually black, or like Egyptian.  *shrug*



Also, the shortest papal reign ever was a measly 12 days.

There was also an unofficial pope (Stephen II) who died three days after he was chosen and was never even officially sworn in and whatnot, so he's debatable.

Hey Cork....I already said there were some african popes ....and besides, there have been three african popes not two.