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.
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.’
I don’t believe in treating offices with respect either, especially one that I don’t even like the existence of.
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.
If you’re Italian… papa!
I’d call him Joey to see how that humility thing is suiting him.
Papa Joe! (hug)
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, but maybe that’s just me…
Nope; I mentioned it in Post 41, although without a link.
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
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.
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?
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
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.
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.
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.
…in time you will call me…Master.
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.
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.
Reminds me of 
