# Atheists/non-Catholics: If you met the Pope, how would you address him? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [June 12, 2007, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-non-catholics-if-you-met-the-pope-how-would-you-address-him/407787 "2007-06-12T23:48:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Revtim](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/revtim/32/1042_2.png) [@Revtim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revtim)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2007, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-non-catholics-if-you-met-the-pope-how-would-you-address-him/407787/61 "2007-06-13T20:20:54Z")
I’d call him “my nigga”. Seriously, I should probably call him “Mr. Ratzinger”, since holiness isn’t something I believe in. But I’d likely just go ahead and call him “Your Holiness”, as that would expected of me. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Fight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/90ced4/32.png) [@Cat\_Fight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Fight)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2007, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-non-catholics-if-you-met-the-pope-how-would-you-address-him/407787/62 "2007-06-13T20:33:24Z")
I’m sure I’d forget what his proper title was were I ever to meet him, so I’d probably say something like ‘Heeeey… you.’ ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2007, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-non-catholics-if-you-met-the-pope-how-would-you-address-him/407787/63 "2007-06-13T21:16:58Z")
[QUOTE=Dangerosa] I sort of figure there isn’t any reason for someone like me to meet the Pope, or the President, or whatever and not treat them (or at least the office they hold) with respect. [/QUOTE] I don’t believe in treating offices with respect either, especially one that I don’t even like the existence of. ---
**Author:** ![Nikki\_Tikki\_Tavi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/3da27b/32.png) [@Nikki\_Tikki\_Tavi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nikki_Tikki_Tavi)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2007, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-non-catholics-if-you-met-the-pope-how-would-you-address-him/407787/64 "2007-06-13T22:19:09Z")
El Poperino. If I remembered that I was supposed to use “Your Holiness”, I would, but I’m guessing that I would forget and just use “Sir”. Seems polite enough to me. ---
**Author:** ![Kozmik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/8dc957/32.png) [@Kozmik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kozmik)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2007, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-non-catholics-if-you-met-the-pope-how-would-you-address-him/407787/65 "2007-06-13T22:27:49Z")
If you’re Italian… _papa_! ---
**Author:** ![mswas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e99b99/32.png) [@mswas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mswas)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2007, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-non-catholics-if-you-met-the-pope-how-would-you-address-him/407787/66 "2007-06-13T23:39:34Z")
I’d call him Joey to see how that humility thing is suiting him. ---
**Author:** ![Kozmik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/8dc957/32.png) [@Kozmik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kozmik)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2007, 1:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-non-catholics-if-you-met-the-pope-how-would-you-address-him/407787/67 "2007-06-14T01:23:51Z")
Papa Joe! (hug) ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2007, 2:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-non-catholics-if-you-met-the-pope-how-would-you-address-him/407787/68 "2007-06-14T02:02:16Z")
Lapsed Catholic. I’d call him “Your Holiness”, just because that’s polite and proper. It’s just a title-it really doesn’t mean I believe he’s holy, or not.\* Just as, if I met Bush, I’d call him “Mr. President”, instead of President Asshat. \*Now, I have to admit, I’d be TEMPTED to call him Pope [Palpatine](http://www.bigdis.com/andy/tmp/popesidious.jpg), but maybe that’s just me… ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2007, 7:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-non-catholics-if-you-met-the-pope-how-would-you-address-him/407787/69 "2007-06-14T07:14:22Z")
[QUOTE=Guinastasia] \*Now, I have to admit, I’d be TEMPTED to call him Pope [Palpatine](http://www.bigdis.com/andy/tmp/popesidious.jpg), but maybe that’s just me… [/QUOTE] Nope; I mentioned it in Post 41, although without a link. ---
**Author:** ![Gleena](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b3f665/32.png) [@Gleena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gleena)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2007, 8:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-non-catholics-if-you-met-the-pope-how-would-you-address-him/407787/70 "2007-06-14T08:02:30Z")
[QUOTE=Quiddity Glomfuster] Because ‘some random person’ is a nobody who’s done nothing to deserve an honour and isn’t called ‘holiness’ or ‘emperor’ by tradition and the Pope is a somebody who has been given a job that comes with a very old title. Just curious - what would you call the CEO of your company, a Senator, and your president? [/QUOTE] Phil (cause that’s his name and what everybody calls him), Tom (the retired one that’s a friend of the family, at least), and Shrub (cause I’m a bitch like that.) Priests I call Granmpa (cause the ex-priest that married my grandmother is one, or at least my step-granmpa, plus, he’s very cool, and I don’t see many others.) :rolleyes: But I would call the pope His Holiness if I was introduced, because that’s what he expects. No use calling him Cardinal Nazi-Ratbag, it would just cause an international incident, plus it’s just rude. Frankly, I’d be speaking to him for a nano-second in his third or fourth language, so how could it matter? Odds of me meeting the pope=slim, however. Atheist. Cheers, G ---
**Author:** ![Princhester](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3e96dc/32.png) [@Princhester](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Princhester)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2007, 8:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-non-catholics-if-you-met-the-pope-how-would-you-address-him/407787/71 "2007-06-14T08:54:54Z")
I would try hard to avoid meeting anyone who expected to be treated or addressed with reverence that I did not feel they deserve. Too awkward. [QUOTE=Gleena] No use calling him Cardinal Nazi-Ratbag, it would just cause an international incident, plus it’s just rude. [/QUOTE] Wouldn’t it be great to control the agenda to such an extent that when you or your organisation comes to expect others to address you in fawning terms, it is they and not you who are being rude if they don’t? ---
**Author:** ![Gleena](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b3f665/32.png) [@Gleena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gleena)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2007, 9:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-non-catholics-if-you-met-the-pope-how-would-you-address-him/407787/72 "2007-06-14T09:00:38Z")
[QUOTE=Princhester] Wouldn’t it be great to control the agenda to such an extent that when you or your organisation comes to expect others to address you in fawning terms, it is they and not you who are being rude if they don’t? [/QUOTE] Eh, with Queens and Popes and that, it’s the Highlander Principle - if there can be only one, you call’em what they want you to call them. Life’s too short to get worked up over a title, even one as silly as His Holiness. Besides, we could be talking underwear here, then it would be funny. 😃 Cheers, G ---
**Author:** ![Galwegian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/galwegian/32/3426_2.png) [@Galwegian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Galwegian)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2007, 10:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-non-catholics-if-you-met-the-pope-how-would-you-address-him/407787/73 "2007-06-14T10:50:27Z")
I’d call him “Your Holiness” simply as a courtesy, in the same way as I’d call the Dalai Lama “Your Holiness”, or POTUS “Mr President”. I’ve met a few bishops who like to be called “Father” (false modesty???), and IIRC, JP II was happy enough for the same. ---
**Author:** ![Maastricht](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a88e57/32.png) [@Maastricht](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maastricht)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2007, 11:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-non-catholics-if-you-met-the-pope-how-would-you-address-him/407787/74 "2007-06-14T11:15:02Z")
Atheist here. If I have gotten around adressing my parents in law as [del]mom and dad[/del] [del]Mr Smith[/del] [del]Susan[/del] anything for years, surely I can get around the Your Holiness issue. ---
**Author:** ![Ea\_calendula](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b5e925/32.png) [@Ea\_calendula](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ea_calendula)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2007, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-non-catholics-if-you-met-the-pope-how-would-you-address-him/407787/75 "2007-06-14T19:42:06Z")
Depending of the context of the situation. I have no problem with formal titles, like, in this case, ‘Your Holiness’ - I don’t want to mess up some formal event just to make a point. It’s just a title, and it would be good manners to use it if the occasion calls for it. It’s a nicety - and after all, the pope of Rome is quite an important person to a lot of people and may demand an amount of respect. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2007, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-non-catholics-if-you-met-the-pope-how-would-you-address-him/407787/76 "2007-06-14T21:36:27Z")
[QUOTE=Der Trihs] Nope; I mentioned it in Post 41, although without a link. [/QUOTE] [I find your lack of faith…disturbing…](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v333/mikeabundo/snaps_ratzinger-will-be-known-_sidious-i.jpg) 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Kozmik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/8dc957/32.png) [@Kozmik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kozmik)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2007, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-non-catholics-if-you-met-the-pope-how-would-you-address-him/407787/77 "2007-06-14T22:24:08Z")
[QUOTE=Guinastasia] [I find your lack of faith…disturbing…](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v333/mikeabundo/snaps_ratzinger-will-be-known-_sidious-i.jpg) 😛 [/QUOTE] _…in time you will call me..Master._ ---
**Author:** ![Stratocaster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stratocaster/32/16393_2.png) [@Stratocaster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stratocaster)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2007, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-non-catholics-if-you-met-the-pope-how-would-you-address-him/407787/78 "2007-06-14T23:06:19Z")
Catholic here, so I can’t really answer the OP. But FWIW, I have read that the etiquette rationale for using titles such as this is out of respect for the people who hold it true–not necessarily out of respect for the person himself, that is–and it does not at all imply you believe it as well. So, Queen Elizabeth is “Your Majesty,” not because you find her particularly majestic, but in deference to the sensibilities of the English people (presumably). So, from an etiquette perspective, refusing to call the Pope “Your Holiness” or “Holy Father” is discourtesy to Catholics in general. ---
**Author:** ![drm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a88e57/32.png) [@drm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drm)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2007, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-non-catholics-if-you-met-the-pope-how-would-you-address-him/407787/79 "2007-06-14T23:15:49Z")
How to tactfully answer this question… Due to major philosophical differences, I would choose not to meet the Pope if I could help it in any way. If, however, I ran into him at the gym or something I’d probably just say, “Hello Sir”. I refuse to call him, “His Holiness”. It’s ridiculous. I’d be polite though. ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2007, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-non-catholics-if-you-met-the-pope-how-would-you-address-him/407787/80 "2007-06-14T23:29:54Z")
[QUOTE=Guinastasia] [I find your lack of faith…disturbing…](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v333/mikeabundo/snaps_ratzinger-will-be-known-_sidious-i.jpg) 😛 [/QUOTE] Cool. 😃 Reminds me of [this](http://individual.utoronto.ca/roninkengo/pictures/imperialpope.jpg), which can be found with it’s original caption of “I find your lack of faith disturbing.” in the middle of this blog page [here](http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://individual.utoronto.ca/roninkengo/pictures/imperialpope.jpg&imgrefurl=http://roninkengo.blogspot.com/2005_04_01_archive.html&h=201&w=695&sz=208&hl=en&start=4&um=1&tbnid=IX51earurs1TJM:&tbnh=40&tbnw=139&prev=/image) that I googled. Can’t find the original version. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-non-catholics-if-you-met-the-pope-how-would-you-address-him/407787.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-non-catholics-if-you-met-the-pope-how-would-you-address-him/407787.md?page=5)