White smoke!

[Diogenes the Cynic]

We have a Pope! Who is it?

[Terminus Est]

Where'd you get that report? CNN says the smoke is still black (http://www.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/europe/04/19/pope.tuesday/index.html).

[scott evil]

Watching MSNBC. Smoke is white.

[I can't believe that's butter!]

Can't they burn some fuel or something along with the slips to get a good soot going? I'm a little disillusioned by all of this harlequin smoking.

[Aguecheek]

I'm watching a live feed on washingtonpost.com, and I'd swear the smoke was white and people are cheering, but I don't hear the bells that are supposed to accompany the smoke (to alleviate any confusion).

[AsecretK]

Are the bells ringing? I heard that is a sign as well.

[I can't believe that's butter!]

For the six-o'clock hour, yes, so says MSNBC.

[jayjay]

Can't they burn some fuel or something along with the slips to get a good soot going? I'm a little disillusioned by all of this harlequin smoking.

The smoke isn't actually colored by the slips. They have black or white smoke bombs they put in the furnace along with the ballots. I'm also seeing recent news pieces about them having had trouble with the smoke bombs and using Italian army flares.

[Diogenes the Cynic]

Can't they burn some fuel or something along with the slips to get a good soot going? I'm a little disillusioned by all of this harlequin smoking.
No bells yet, so that's kind of weird.

[Mehitabel]

The bells rang a little, but it turns out it was just because it's six o'clock!

But that smoke is pretty white! Wolf Blitzer is worrying about the absence of bells--might be a false alarm? But people in the square are psyched!

[scott evil]

Now the big bell tolls.

[Diogenes the Cynic]

There goes the bell.

[Amp]

The bells are ringing. Seems we have a new Pope.

[Aguecheek]

There go the bells.

[I can't believe that's butter!]

Wait, here we are, I think this is it!

[Amazingrace]

It's white. It's official.

[Amp]

Six simulposts. Is that a new record?

[ivylass]

When do they announce who it is?

[Zebra]

Ummmm, I love that new Pope smell.

[Red Stilettos]

uh...is this just in preparation for the inevitable white smoke? :dubious: Everything I am reading says it's still black.

[Amp]

uh...is this just in preparation for the inevitable white smoke? :dubious: Everything I am reading says it's still black.

msnbc.com, cnn.com and foxnews.com are now reporting the white smoke.

[jayjay]

uh...is this just in preparation for the inevitable white smoke? :dubious: Everything I am reading says it's still black.

They're watching it live on television. You have to give the electronic versions a few minutes to update.

[DeVena]

They're ringing the bells at our local churches, too.

[BobLibDem]

Holy smokes!

[Eve]

[please please please let it be Cardinal Scola . . . ]

[Mehitabel]

My cable-less Dad has come down to watch. He thinks its Ratzinger, but I dunno.

[jayjay]

I'm just hoping it's not Ratfinker...

[silenus]

Pope Corky I.............?

[lieu]

One billion, seventy million served.

[Jonathan Chance]

The local Catholic church went nuts with the bells a few minutes ago. I thought the Nazi's were invading until Lady Chance said...ohh...I betcha there's white smoke and I went online to check.

I'm hoping for someone non-Euro just for variety. But I'm a Jew...anyone who's not batshit insane on the 'christ killer' thing would work for me.

[Troy McClure SF]

Pope in tha hizzouse!

[Mockingbird]

There goes the bell.

Is it a tintabulation or more of a ding, ding, ding, went the bell?

[Annie-Xmas]

Here come da Pope! Here come da Pope!

[Mehitabel]

That's the problem with Ratzinger--it's not his fault that he was a schoolboy while a madman was running his country, but I don't want my church run by a former Hitler Youth. I know, repentence, but...

People are pouring into the Square by the thousands, everybody is so happy! It's like the Super Bowl for Catholics! I'm so glad we have this system of succession in place, it's so exciting!

[gobear]

Betcha they picked Ratzinger.

[Rilchiam]

Dang, that was fast!

Their decision, I mean, not this thread. The TMs being up on things is only to be expected.

[Marley23]

Survey Says...

[jayjay]

Betcha they picked Ratzinger.

Pessimist!

[Marley23]

So let me get this straight. Sometime soon, they'll announce both the new Pope's name and the Papal name he's chosen, or do they announce the name and we have to wait to see who it is? Wish I was watching TV instead of working. ;)

[Tuckerfan]

I bet it'll turn out like New Coke. They'll try to replace him with Pope II, but in the end, be forced (or some say that it was their plan all along) to bring back Pope Classic.

[LavenderBlue]

I'm praying it isn't Ratzinger. Isn't he on the old side for a pope anyway?

[gobear]

Pessimist!

Realist.

I'd love for it to be Arinze, but I doubt it. I wonder what his regnal name will be. . . Clement, Innocent, Pius, Leo, Gregory. . . ?

[Amp]

They keep throwing the name Ratzinger out as the new Pope on MSNBC. Why is he considered the forerunner for the position?

[Only Mostly Dead]

Betcha they picked Ratzinger.

Odds are with you:

Joseph Ratzinger (Germany), 2.85:1
Francis Arinze (Nigeria), 4.4:1
Oscar Rodriguez Maradiaga (Honduras), 6.2:1
Dionigi Tettamanzi (Italy), 6.4:1
Claudio Hummes (Brazil), 7:1
Carlo Maria Martini (Italy), 11:1

as of yesterday.

[Homebrew]

If the "Holy Spirit" is guiding the choice, then why isn't the vote unanimous on the first ballot? Or why doesn't a thunderous voice say "the new Pope is so-and-so but he'll go by the name Pope George IXX"?

[jayjay]

They keep throwing the name Ratzinger out as the new Pope on MSNBC. Why is he considered the forerunner for the position?

He was JPII's right-hand-man for decades, and he's the leader of the traditionalists in the Church (not that there are a lot of radicals in the Cardinalate...)

[Amp]

And the new Pope is Cardinal Ratzinger!

[Aguecheek]

Ratzinger.

[gobear]

Ratzinger! Told you!

[Tuckerfan]

Andit's Ratty!

[Marley23]

I'm not even Catholic and that's a :rolleyes:. They're saying god's not a micromanager, I guess.

So it's Ratzinger, eh?

[ivylass]

It's Ratzinger, AKA Benedict the 16th.

[gobear]

Benedict 16th

[Marley23]

The way this simulpostfest is going, he'll only be Pope once, for 20 minutes.

[The Scrivener]

Rats. I was hoping for somebody more progressive and modern.

[Mehitabel]

Ratzinger will be Pope Benedict something. Hmmmm.

[jayjay]

Well, there goes any bit of respect and affection I still had clinging to the cockles of my heart for the Church...

[Only Mostly Dead]

Pope George IXX
Nitpick: IXX is not a valid Roman Numeral, AFAICRemember. XIX is 19, XXI is 21.

[Dancer_Flight]

Ratzinger will be Pope Benedict XVI.

-DF

[alphaboi867]

Pope Benedict XI ne Joseph Ratzinger

[Mockingbird]

The way this simulpostfest is going, he'll only be Pope once, for 20 minutes.

Promise?

[gobear]

And I'm patting myself on the back for keeping up my Latin so I didn't need a translation to understand the announcement.

On the bright side, Ratzinger is 78, and the predecessor who last took the name Benedict was the shortest reigning pope of the 20th century.

[Re: PT]

I still think they should have chosen by TV, say on Pope Idol...

PT

[lieu]

They passed on their chance to eliminate Cardinal Sin?

[alphaboi867]

correct Pope Benedict XVI

[jayjay]

I'm starting to feel like a Cubs fan. The presidential election raised my hopes and then dashed them on the rocks, now this election made me think "Wow...maybe we'll have someone interesting like an African Pope!" And they elect Ratfinker. Pope Ratfinker.

*sigh*

How do you Chicagoans cope?

[Captain Amazing]

That he chose the name Benedict is a good sign. The last Benedict tried to stop WWI, and also tried to bring unity among Catholics and stop the modernist/traditionalist split.

[gobear]

In re the Malachy Prophecies, how does Ratzinger fit in with Gloria Olivarum?

[BobLibDem]

Interesting that the Benedictines are known also as the Olivetans. St. Malachy's prophesied name for this pope is "gloria olivae".

[jayjay]

That he chose the name Benedict is a good sign. The last Benedict tried to stop WWI, and also tried to bring unity among Catholics and stop the modernist/traditionalist split.

Please. Ratzinger's idea of stopping a modernist/traditionalist split will involve declaring the modernists heretics and driving them out of the Church...

[Thudlow Boink]

Didn't he play Cliff on Cheers?

[Abbie Carmichael]

I'm disappointed, as I wanted Arinze.

But oh well. Hopefully the Cardinals obeyed God and Ratzinger is who the Lord would have as Pope.

I think it's going to take a LOT more than a local in the Vatican to Christianize Europe again, but hey ... maybe Ratzinger's going to be used in that capacity.

He's in my prayers.

[LavenderBlue]

Yuck.

[Mehitabel]

My Dad is thrilled and wants me to read his copy of Dominus Jesus. He's more traditional than I am. Funny thing is we were talking about names right before I said it would be Benedict or Gregory.

Not my first choice but a great thinker and he'll reform the bureaucracy during his short reign.

[lieu]

Simulpopes reign aplenty today.

[Jenaroph]

For a moment there, it sounded like the crowd was chanting "Whoomp! There it is!"


But only for a moment.

[jayjay]

I was actually hoping it would be Arinze solely so I could watch my racist Catholic uncle's head asplode at every family gathering whenever the subject came up.

[Dancer_Flight]

And I'm patting myself on the back for keeping up my Latin so I didn't need a translation to understand the announcement.

On the bright side, Ratzinger is 78, and the predecessor who last took the name Benedict was the shortest reigning pope of the 20th century.

Nitpick:

Benedict XV reigned from 1914 to 1922
Pope John Paul I reigned only in 1978 and therefore had a much shorter reign.

As an aside, Benedictine XVI is the fourth pope in my lifetime.

-DF

[gobear]

So . . . anyone up for electing an Anti-pope in Avignon?

[Chefguy]

I would have thought he would have chosen Pope Adolph I.

[jsgoddess]

There's an up side. Maybe two.

1. He's old. I figured they'd pick someone old, and they did, which means they want a transition pope.

2. He didn't choose JPIII. Maybe being Pope will allow him to break with JPII's thinking even though, yeah, I know he was an advisor to JPII and more conservative and sure, I'm talking out my ass. But a girl can dream!

[Rilchiam]

I'm starting to feel like a Cubs fan. The presidential election raised my hopes and then dashed them on the rocks, now this election made me think "Wow...maybe we'll have someone interesting like an African Pope!"

I was hoping that too, not only because it would have been interesting, but also because an African would presumably be better informed about the AIDS crisis. When I saw a white face on the balcony, my immediate reaction was "Awwwwwwwww...!"

And they elect Ratfinker. Pope Ratfinker.

And my secondary reaction was "Not the Nazi!"

But as another poster noted, that was long ago and he was a kid.

Now the question is, is it good or bad for transition that JPII found him so indispensable?

[Captain Amazing]

Please. Ratzinger's idea of stopping a modernist/traditionalist split will involve declaring the modernists heretics and driving them out of the Church...

If he had wanted to do that, he could have picked "Pius". The Piuses did crack down on the whole modernist thing (and in fact, one did declare them heretics and drove them out of the church.) The fact that he chose Benedict might be a sign that he doesn't want to do that. And, his theology isn't really much more conservative than the last pope's was. But, he was in the hatchet man position.

[The Big Cheese]

the word 'transition' in Transition Pope has a good ring to it. Not the best of choices, imho.

Yea, Pope Idol sounds good.
RJ: I dunno dawg, that homily sounded a little pitchy to me.
Paula: I love you man! See you in the finals!
Simon: That was awful. You now what you remind me of......

[Jonathan Chance]

Hell, I'm a Jew and I'll give the guy a pass on the 'Hitler Youth' thing. It was a crazy time and he was young. And from what I've heard he's made efforts to make that good.

[gobear]

I give Pope Benedict at most 4-5 years before he keels over, and then we'll get Arinze.

[Rilchiam]

Yeah, you're right.

Something else that has occurred to me. I have seen a historical era begin and end.

[5que]

That "XVI" thing is going to confuse a lot of the kids....

[Rilchiam]

(I mean Jonathan Chance.)

And 5que, I think kids know Roman numerals. How else would they know the order of the Friday the 13th sequels?

[5que]

See, this is why I lost track of the Super Bowls a long, long time ago.

[gobear]

That "XVI" thing is going to confuse a lot of the kids....

Not the literate ones. Of course, those of us who grew up reaidng Roman numerals in movie credits have an advantage . . .

[Baker]

Benedict XVI

[Tuckerfan]

So the Nazi fighter is replaced by the Nazi in one of the ironies of history. Let's hope that he's a better pope than anyone has predicted so far.

[Hampshire]

That "XVI" thing is going to confuse a lot of the kids....


How do you pronounce that? Exvee? Zivy? Clive?

[Baker]

Whoops, didn't see there was a second page.

And Benedict XV wasn't the shortest reign of the 20th century(not counting JPI) John XXIII had only five years or so, 1959 to 1964 or so.

[Mehitabel]

There's like ten Germans in the Square with big flags, but they sure seem happy in their restrained way. :D I'll be interested to see how the German press covers it.

Weird thing is that he was one of the three voters NOT appointed by JP II--he was made cardinal in '77.

I think the College thinks a pope from Old Europe (heh) will bring back people there to the Church; somehow I doubt it. But his conservatism will go over well in Latin America and Africa, maybe.

I think it'll be a time of self-reflection for Catholics. The last Pope, God rest his soul, reached out to the world, and very successfully. Maybe it's time to retrench and rethink the deeper issues, and you don't get much deeper than Benedict, apparently. Quality over quantity of Catholics?

[jk1245]

That "XVI" thing is going to confuse a lot of the kids....


Maybe he should refer to himself as "B-16" kinda like J-Lo and B-Fleck.

[Hampshire]

Why didn't CNN get Father Guido Sarducci to do the live commentary?

[zamboniracer]

I'm starting to feel like a Cubs fan. The presidential election raised my hopes and then dashed them on the rocks, now this election made me think "Wow...maybe we'll have someone interesting like an African Pope!" And they elect Ratfinker. Pope Ratfinker.

*sigh*

How do you Chicagoans cope?


They "self-medicate" with Old Style beer (http://www.oldstylebeer.com) :D

[Shirley Ujest]

I will never hear the end of this.

A german pope.

And a german pointer won at Westminster this year.


There is a conspiracy going on.


At least with a German in office over there, you know punctuality will be strictly adhered too. Ja, baby.

[Shirley Ujest]

While we are on another round of Pope-a-palozza Part II, there was a doper that recommended a fictional book about the behind the scenes at a Pope Picking.

I can't find the thread and I can't remember the book. I am really curious now.

[Tuckerfan]

Yes, but what happens if he says, "The Vatican has historically always been part of Germany."? ;)

[Aguecheek]

While I agree that a black Pope would be cool, from what I read of Arinze, he was even more conservative than JPII (and Ratzinger).

At a 2003 lecture at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., Arinze drew gasps and protests when he lumped homosexuality together with pornography.

The family, Arinze told graduates, "is opposed by an anti-life mentality as is seen in contraception, abortion, infanticide and euthanasia. It is scorned and banalized by pornography, desecrated by fornication and adultery, mocked by homosexuality, sabotaged by irregular unions and cut in two by divorce."from http://www.cbc.ca/cp/world/050409/w040956.html

[Marley23]

I for one welcome our new Papal Overlord. Well, not really. However, for the time being I'm somewhat pleased that we finally have a Pope whose name sounds like a James Bond villain. If I may get started on the Papal theme song:

RAT-ZIN-GER!
He's the man you've elected your Pope...
RAT-ZIN-GER!
He wants gold, and you have no hope...

Or something.

"So, ve meet again, Mr. Bond."
"You'll never get away with this, Your Holiness!"

[xbuckeye]

...And this just in...
at least 2/3 of Catholic Cardinals either don't know or don't care that they are further dividing the Catholic faithful.

[Tuckerfan]

I've heard that Arinze is pretty ambivalent on the subject of female gential mutilation as well.

Hampshire, he still works for NBC and will probably show up on M$NBC some time today.

[Marley23]

How do you pronounce that? Exvee? Zivy? Clive?
"Throatwarbler-Mangrove."
I will never hear the end of this.

A german pope.

And a german pointer won at Westminster this year.
Just remind them that they're 0-for-2 in World Wars. That'll shut 'em up.

[Mr. Blue Sky]

I was hoping he'd choose the name Pope Super Bowl XXXX.

[Suse]

He looks very much like my Uncle Mart. I never understood Uncle Mart either.

[FinnAgain]

Pshaw. I've been a Pope for years now. Nobody asked me nuffin. (http://jubal.westnet.com/hyperdiscordia/popecard.html)

[Elenfair]

Well... I was holding onto this faint hope... I kept sayin' "Anyone but Ratzinger..." but alas... apparently my direct prayer line has broken down.

Maybe someone will get to him with a hockey stick and he'll say, as he burns away, "But... I'm a f*cking demon!"

(Sorry. I really apologise for that last comment. I shouldn't watch Kevin Smith films as often as I do. And yes, I really loathe Ratzinger and everything he stands for.)

[Homebrew]

...And this just in...
at least 2/3 of Catholic Cardinals either don't know or don't care that they are further dividing the Catholic faithful.
Obviously the "Holy Spirit" led them to the decision, therefore that's what God wants.

BTW, I was just typing random Xs and Is, I wasn't trying to make a real number, as evidence that I chose "George" which isn't a real papal name either.

[Marley23]

Pshaw. I've been a Pope for years now. Nobody asked me nuffin. (http://jubal.westnet.com/hyperdiscordia/popecard.html)
Yeah, I've been a Pope going on eight years myself. I was hoping for some votes as a compromise candidate this year, but it's okay. I should be around for the next couple of conclaves.

[N9IWP]

IMHO that was a pretty quick election.
IIRC the frontrunner is rarely elected.
Wasn't John XXIII elected because they expected a "do nothing" pope, but then he turns around and convenes Vatican II. So I'm not expecting anything radical, but he may surprise people.
At least it wasn't another Italian (tho I may have prefered a liberal Italian)

Brian

[Dragwyr]

Why didn't CNN get Father Guido Sarducci to do the live commentary?
Because in his religion, EVERYONE is Pope.

:D

[rowrrbazzle]

I heard he's going to take up a new hobby - photographing celebrities. Because now he's Papa Ratzi.

Thank you, I'll be here all week.

[Tentacle Monster]

I could never be a cardinal. Besides the whole chastity thing and having to believe in a god, I couldn't behave myself during that election process. I'd sneak a blue smoke bomb into the Sistine Chapel and toss it into the fireplace when nobody else was looking.

[ShibbOleth]

Negatives: Former Hitler Youth, Conservative, not very "fubsy"

Positives: This has got to be a lot better than the African guy for future The Daily Show segments.


In fact, I wouldn't be at all surprised if The Daily Show writers were involved in rigging the election.

[El_Kabong]

So, any truth to the rumor that when he first addressed the crowd in St. Peter's Square, the new Pope said, "but you can just call me 'Eggs'"?

[Guinastasia]

"I love Catholicism. I love the Vatican."

Pope Palpatine I.

[Lute Skywatcher]

Please. Ratzinger's idea of stopping a modernist/traditionalist split will involve declaring the modernists heretics and driving them out of the Church...If he had wanted to do that, he could have picked "Pius". The Piuses did crack down on the whole modernist thing (and in fact, one did declare them heretics and drove them out of the church.) If he had picked "Pius", there'd likely be a bunch of Chicken Littles running around.

IIRC, a Pope coronated "Pius" is supposed to be the Antichrist and usher in the coming of Judgement Day. Not that I believe any of this.

[DeVena]

DeHusband was out walking on his break when the bells started ringing in "our" Saint Pete's, downtown. He called me and I told him the news. So he goes in to the church to find someone to talk to about this. It was empty, save for one tiny little old lady who was praying. DeHusband excuses himself and asks where he can find someone to talk to about the bells. "Bells?" The lady couldn't hear the bells inside the church and didn't know about the new pope. DeHusband has done his good deed for the day.

[Captain Amazing]

IIRC, a Pope coronated "Pius" is supposed to be the Antichrist and usher in the coming of Judgement Day. Not that I believe any of this.

According to who?

[Shirley Ujest]

I heard he's going to take up a new hobby - photographing celebrities. Because now he's Papa Ratzi.

Thank you, I'll be here all week.





rowrrbazzle....I think you are my new best friend.

[Tuckerfan]

If he had picked "Pius", there'd likely be a bunch of Chicken Littles running around.

IIRC, a Pope coronated "Pius" is supposed to be the Antichrist and usher in the coming of Judgement Day. Not that I believe any of this.
Are you sure that it wouldn't mean that he was replacing the Popemobile with a Toyota?