# Let the poor Pope die already!! **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [March 31, 2005, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-the-poor-pope-die-already/297133 "2005-03-31T22:25:57Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Scott\_Plaid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/258eb7/32.png) [@Scott\_Plaid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scott_Plaid)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2005, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-the-poor-pope-die-already/297133/41 "2005-04-01T16:28:41Z")
I hear they’ve got the vote now. ---
**Author:** ![Yllaria](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yllaria/32/3452_2.png) [@Yllaria](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yllaria)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2005, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-the-poor-pope-die-already/297133/42 "2005-04-01T16:35:52Z")
> [@](#): > > Now they’re reporting his got a fever and a urinary infection. Did they report that both were being treated? ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2005, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-the-poor-pope-die-already/297133/43 "2005-04-01T16:49:47Z")
> [@Yllaria](#): > > Did they report that both were being treated? I know that the fever was being treated (JPII responded favorably), but this is the first I’ve heard about the UTI. ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2005, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-the-poor-pope-die-already/297133/44 "2005-04-01T16:59:46Z")
> [@Jervoise](#): > > Then the Church should have no problem ordaining celibate openly gay priests, right? Oh wait, it does. No, it doesn’t. Part of the discernment process in pursuing a vocation like priesthood, brotherhood or sisterhood, is to come to terms with your sexuality, whatever it is, in preparation for making a commitment to lifelong celibacy. Someone who is questioning and not grounded in whatever their sexuality is would not be ready, but homosexuality does not preclude becoming a priest, nun or brother. ---
**Author:** ![Scott\_Plaid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/258eb7/32.png) [@Scott\_Plaid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scott_Plaid)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2005, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-the-poor-pope-die-already/297133/45 "2005-04-01T17:10:55Z")
What perfect knowledge, I mean, garbage. If catholic priest was married and had sex regularly, he will either be kicked, or have it covered up. He’s perfectly aware of his sexuality, and it is no more harmful of him to do such a thing as it is for a rabbi to do. In the same vein, if a gay person was to admit he is gay and is quite comfortably with it, and wants to become a priest, he will be kicked out. Never mind the fact that this hypothetical priest was telling the truth when he said he will be celibate. ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2005, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-the-poor-pope-die-already/297133/46 "2005-04-01T18:21:10Z")
Sorry, I don’t think I understand your examples. I assumed **Jervoise** was saying that someone who identified as gay would be denied the priesthood on that basis alone. Not someone who is already married. Again, just saying you are gay is not something that will get you “kicked out” of the discernment process or the priesthood, since being gay does not rule out chastity. 😕 ---
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2005, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-the-poor-pope-die-already/297133/47 "2005-04-01T18:35:44Z")
According to CNN, Your wish has been granted. The Pope has died, after refusing to go back to the hospital. ---
**Author:** ![missbunny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/76d3ee/32.png) [@missbunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/missbunny)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2005, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-the-poor-pope-die-already/297133/48 "2005-04-01T18:49:52Z")
Did they really say that or is this a 4/1 thing? It’s not being reported on line yet that I can find. ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2005, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-the-poor-pope-die-already/297133/49 "2005-04-01T18:52:46Z")
[cnn.com](http://cnn.com) still has him “deteriorating” but I am amused by other more April-1-type headlines: Pat Buchanan doused with salad dressing Ms. Wheelchair stripped of title for standing up ---
**Author:** ![Loopydude](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e56c9b/32.png) [@Loopydude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loopydude)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2005, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-the-poor-pope-die-already/297133/50 "2005-04-01T18:53:09Z")
> [@elbows](#): > > Your wish has been granted. Oooo. I feel the guilt of your willfull misunderstanding. Spoken like a good priest. ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2005, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-the-poor-pope-die-already/297133/51 "2005-04-01T19:02:07Z")
> [@robertliguori](#): > > So, oral sex is OK? Depends, does oral sex count as sex? I have heard of a certain former US president who claims it’s not… May be a language issue, in Spanish joder is follar is tirarse, no matter what position you use. ---
**Author:** ![Trion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ccd318/32.png) [@Trion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trion)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2005, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-the-poor-pope-die-already/297133/52 "2005-04-01T19:03:29Z")
Just a minute ago the Yahoo headline was: Pope Reported Dead. Now it says: Pope’s Condition Worsens. :eek: ---
**Author:** ![The\_Mermaid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a183cd/32.png) [@The\_Mermaid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Mermaid)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2005, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-the-poor-pope-die-already/297133/53 "2005-04-01T19:08:13Z")
I think the main difference between The Pope’s feeding tube and TS is that the Pope is lucid, aware and able to direct his care. The feeding tube can be used to administer medications and fluids in addition to feedings. I hear the pontiff is now in heart failure so I think they would be conservavtive with IV fluids at this point. ---
**Author:** ![GawnFishin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e9bcb4/32.png) [@GawnFishin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GawnFishin)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2005, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-the-poor-pope-die-already/297133/54 "2005-04-01T19:41:41Z")
> [@BottledBlondJeanie](#): > > At times I thought he should **“retire”** but if he is truly the conduit to Jesus for millions of Catholics, then I guess he should persist. Can anyone tell me of a pope who has retired. I was under the impression they all waited for the call to go up to the head office. Call it a promotion if you will. ---
**Author:** ![BottledBlondJeanie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/0ea827/32.png) [@BottledBlondJeanie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BottledBlondJeanie)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2005, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-the-poor-pope-die-already/297133/55 "2005-04-01T20:06:16Z")
I don’t know the answer to your question, but it was suggested by some new media types that he could consider this. ---
**Author:** ![NDP](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ndp/32/55_2.png) [@NDP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NDP)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2005, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-the-poor-pope-die-already/297133/56 "2005-04-01T20:42:18Z")
> [@GawnFishin'](#): > > Can anyone tell me of a pope who has retired. I was under the impression they all waited for the call to go up to the head office. Call it a promotion if you will. [It’s happened](http://www.catholicherald.com/saunders/05ws/ws050303.htm) but nobody has done it recently and the practice is generally looked upon with disfavor. For example, in “The Divine Comedy,” Dante placed St. Celestine V in Hell (or, more precisely, Hell’s foyer) because he resigned. In Dante’s view, St. Celestine V was a gutless wimp for doing this. ---
**Author:** ![matt\_mcl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ab992/32.png) [@matt\_mcl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/matt_mcl)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2005, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-the-poor-pope-die-already/297133/57 "2005-04-01T21:00:40Z")
> [@Malacandra](#): > > Challenge away. But I’ve seen cogent, compelling, intelligently and passionately argued posts on the subject of gay rights, and then I’ve seen whines, and I know into which camp I lump **matt\_mcl** ’s it’s-all-about-me interjection. Right, because I’m every gay person, or even a gay Catholic to begin with. The Pope has consistently militated against equal rights for Queer persons specifically to piss me off. Yup, that’s what I said. ---
**Author:** ![Polycarp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/82dd89/32.png) [@Polycarp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polycarp)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2005, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-the-poor-pope-die-already/297133/58 "2005-04-01T21:19:06Z")
> [@Scott\_plaid](#): > > I hear they’ve got the vote now. Well, remember that this board is hosted in Chicago, where dead people have always had the vote. In fact, they don’t have to wait for elections to vote weakly, but are expected to vote Daley. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Polycarp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/82dd89/32.png) [@Polycarp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polycarp)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2005, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-the-poor-pope-die-already/297133/59 "2005-04-01T21:35:47Z")
> [@GawnFishin'](#): > > Can anyone tell me of a pope who has retired. I was under the impression they all waited for the call to go up to the head office. Call it a promotion if you will. [Six popes abdicated](http://www.catholic-forum.com/saints/ncd00024.htm). The last of them, Gregory XII, stepped down on July 4, 1415, as a part of the healing of the Great Schism of the West at the Council of Constance. In addition, [url=http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/02428b.htm"]Pope Benedict V quit or was fired – the record is not clear which – on June 23, 964. ---
**Author:** ![Malacandra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Malacandra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malacandra)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2005, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-the-poor-pope-die-already/297133/60 "2005-04-02T18:28:12Z")
> [@matt\_mcl](#): > > Right, because I’m every gay person, or even a gay Catholic to begin with. The Pope has consistently militated against equal rights for Queer persons specifically to piss me off. Yup, that’s what I said. Oh, bollock off, **matt\_mcl**. The “it’s all about me” reference was about your self-importantly barging into the (already tasteless) thread to seize the opportunity to say "Wait, nobody’s mentioned the Pope’s " (I started typing that as “Pole’s”, and come to think of it I could have left it that way) “deplorable stance on gay rights. Wahh”, nothing more. And I’m not homophobic nor, as a rule, **matt\_mcl** phobic either, but you just got up my nose. Now quibble about the capacity of my nasal cavity, if you have to. But I’d take it as a favour if, next time you want to bang on about the neglected subject :rolleyes: of the RC Church’s attitude to gayness, you pick a better time and place to do it. It’s not like you’ll be short of a claque or two. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-the-poor-pope-die-already/297133.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-the-poor-pope-die-already/297133.md?page=4)