# The 2025 Papal Conclave **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [May 5, 2025, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2025-papal-conclave/1017913 "2025-05-05T17:40:44Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 13
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2025, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2025-papal-conclave/1017913/241 "2025-05-09T01:03:44Z")
> [@needscoffee](#): > > How is it a public school but you know that they’re Catholics? It depends on how schools are run in a particular jurisdiction. Here in Ontario, such a statement would make perfect sense. We have two separate public school systems, the regular one and the Catholic one. Taxpayers choose which one they want to fund. There’s not much difference except there’s some religious teaching in the Catholic system, whereas the other is strictly non-religious. ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2025, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2025-papal-conclave/1017913/242 "2025-05-09T01:11:51Z")
> [@BobLibDem](#): > > Thus far the star of the show is the bird that from time to time hops on the chimney. Is it a cardinal? ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2025, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2025-papal-conclave/1017913/243 "2025-05-09T01:29:22Z")
> [@wolfpup](#): > > Here in Ontario, such a statement would make perfect sense. We have two separate public school systems, the regular one and the Catholic one. Taxpayers choose which one they want to fund. We still have that separation of church and state thing here. For now. Probably not for long. ---
**Author:** ![FinsToTheLeft](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/finstotheleft/32/2930_2.png) [@FinsToTheLeft](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FinsToTheLeft)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2025, 1:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2025-papal-conclave/1017913/244 "2025-05-09T01:34:13Z")
> [@wolfpup](#): > > Taxpayers choose which one they want to fund. Not anymore. The province funds schools strictly on the basis of enrolment. In the old days, you could direct the education portion of your property tax to your board of choice, regardless if you had school age children. Now the selection only dictates which slate of school trustees you vote for. ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2025, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2025-papal-conclave/1017913/245 "2025-05-09T01:47:46Z")
That has nothing to do with what I said, and in any case is wrong. The funding of school boards is not just based “strictly on enrolment” but also on things like geographic location, special needs, and other factors. In my neighbourhood we have two elementary schools side by side, a regular one (typically called a “public school”) and one Catholic, which is also public. What do you think determines which school a particular kid attends? ---
**Author:** ![FinsToTheLeft](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/finstotheleft/32/2930_2.png) [@FinsToTheLeft](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FinsToTheLeft)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2025, 2:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2025-papal-conclave/1017913/246 "2025-05-09T02:02:03Z")
> [@wolfpup](#): > > That has nothing to do with what I said, and in any case is wrong. It has everything to do with what you said: taxpayers do not direct funds to school boards and haven’t in decades in Ontario. Under the old system, a portion of your property tax went to fund the school board of your choice, assuming you were Catholic. This applied regardless if you had children attending school or even children at all. Under the current system, Catholic parents can choose to send their kids to Separate or Public schools for K-12. Non-Catholics have limited choice for K-8 and full choice for 9-12. The province directly funds the boards based on the enrolment numbers. > **[School funding](https://www.ontario.ca/page/school-funding)** > > Learn how we fund schools and how funding supports student achievement and well-being. ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2025, 2:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2025-papal-conclave/1017913/247 "2025-05-09T02:10:54Z")
> [@FinsToTheLeft](#): > > Under the current system, Catholic parents can choose to send their kids to Separate or Public schools for K-12. **Non-Catholics have limited choice for K-8** and full choice for 9-12 (Emphasis mine.) That’s exactly what I just said – the determination of which school system to attend is by parental choice (which in turn drives enrolment numbers). The bolded part is not true. There are more public school boards in Ontario than Catholic ones – 31 vs 29. But this now way off topic. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2025, 2:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2025-papal-conclave/1017913/248 "2025-05-09T02:13:18Z")
> [@Saint\_Cad](#): > > Don’t Jehovah Witnesses and Church of Christ, Scientists ban medical treatment for their members? No, certainly not Jehovah’s witnesses. But that’s a topic for another thread. I watched the new pope’s ascension, not because I’m Catholic, but because he’s one of the most powerful people on earth, and I’m curious, and it’s telegenic. I’m pretty into separation of church and state, but I’d be okay with my high school kids being able to watch that. They are old enough to care about politics. I would be upset if my kindergartner was shown the same thing, because that would feel more like a religious statement. And my public school was majority Catholic, and everyone knew that. We mostly knew who was Catholic – they went straight from school to CCD Wednesday afternoons, and they showed up with a smudged face on Ash Wednesday, and they took Good Friday off from school. Why wouldn’t a public school teacher know if a lot of his students are Catholic? ---
**Author:** ![FinsToTheLeft](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/finstotheleft/32/2930_2.png) [@FinsToTheLeft](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FinsToTheLeft)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2025, 2:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2025-papal-conclave/1017913/249 "2025-05-09T02:19:07Z")
> [@wolfpup](#): > > The bolded part is not true. There are more public school boards in Ontario than Catholic ones – 31 vs 29. > > But this now way off topic. Yes, it’s off topic and also completely true. Look, your custom title says pendant. If you want to be pedantic, be correct. The number of school boards has nothing to do with anything. The Boards do not have to cover the exact same territory. ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2025, 2:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2025-papal-conclave/1017913/250 "2025-05-09T02:19:22Z")
Moderating: > [@Miller](#): > > Yeah, it’s entirely a church and state thing, sorry if that wasn’t clear. I’m very hardline on the subject, especially in schools. But this is really getting off topic for this thread. Happy to continue it somewhere else if you like. This is true. Time to move this OT discussion to another thread, for whoever wants to continue it. No more posting in this thread about separation of church and state issues. Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![DesertDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/desertdog/32/11503_2.png) [@DesertDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DesertDog)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2025, 4:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2025-papal-conclave/1017913/251 "2025-05-09T04:24:09Z")
> [@rocking\_chair](#): > > one of those, i’m getting old moments. doctors, judges, presidents, prime ministers, popes. any of those make me feel age. In 1960 my father sighed about having a President (Kennedy) younger than he. Being ten at the time I had no clue. Then Obama happened and I understood. ---
**Author:** ![N9IWP](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/n9iwp/32/3154_2.png) [@N9IWP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/N9IWP)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2025, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2025-papal-conclave/1017913/252 "2025-05-09T15:03:47Z")
Francis studied Chemistry, and Leo has a BS in Mathematics and taught High School Physics and Math Brian ---
**Author:** ![Love\_Rhombus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/love_rhombus/32/10694_2.png) [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2025, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2025-papal-conclave/1017913/253 "2025-05-09T15:46:58Z")
Here’s more about the new Pope’s background and reactions to his choice. > **[Pope Leo XIV, a Villanova University alumnus, elected as first American pontiff](https://www.cbsnews.com/amp/philadelphia/news/robert-prevost-new-pope-2025-villanova-university/)** > > Villanova University alumnus Cardinal Robert Prevost, who will be known as Pope Leo XIV, was elected as the next leader of the world's 1.4 billion Catholics and succeeds Pope Francis. ---
**Author:** ![Hypno-Toad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b2d939/32.png) [@Hypno-Toad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hypno-Toad)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2025, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2025-papal-conclave/1017913/254 "2025-05-09T18:50:59Z")
You just know that something BIG is going to be named after him at Villanova. ---
**Author:** ![Zoobi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/13edae/32.png) [@Zoobi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zoobi)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2025, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2025-papal-conclave/1017913/255 "2025-05-09T21:13:58Z")
Welcome to the His Holiness Pope Leo XIV Center to cheer on your Villanova Wildcats! ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2025, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2025-papal-conclave/1017913/256 "2025-05-09T21:46:18Z")
I think region has to be a factor in Pope selection since Catholicism is largely expanding in Asia, South America and Africa, in addition to facing more competition there. Obviously, at certain points, and until recently, all Popes were basically Italian. Nation was a bigger factor when the Pope had enormous political influence if no legions. Since Francis appointed more global cardinals, perhaps Leo was a compromise between regions given his ability to appeal to both progressive and traditional factions, South American practice, Vatican executive experience and language skills, - despite the purported disadvantage of being from Chicago despite the quality of its homemade giardiniera. ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2025, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2025-papal-conclave/1017913/257 "2025-05-09T21:53:27Z")
I’m thinking the Leo XIV Court at Massimino Center. Pope Leo never has won a championship. It could be the Jay Wright Center I suppose. ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2025, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2025-papal-conclave/1017913/258 "2025-05-09T22:05:57Z")
Many people are saying that the new Pope has African American roots from New Orleans, so this may make him the world’s first CreoLeo. [https://www.ncronline.org/news/white-smoke-black-pope-genealogist-says-leo-xiv-has-louisiana-african-roots?fbclid=IwY2xjawKLWwhleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHhKly6mGz5XFL-1x6VV1DcC0TNQmh4ZZ8iCvdRFQMFPNSyemcztDUoirEBOW\_aem\_tdDObuVWucqfdAtuQgsjfw](https://www.ncronline.org/news/white-smoke-black-pope-genealogist-says-leo-xiv-has-louisiana-african-roots?fbclid=IwY2xjawKLWwhleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHhKly6mGz5XFL-1x6VV1DcC0TNQmh4ZZ8iCvdRFQMFPNSyemcztDUoirEBOW_aem_tdDObuVWucqfdAtuQgsjfw) ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2025, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2025-papal-conclave/1017913/259 "2025-05-09T23:25:23Z")
Saw this in some quip-post: > The new Pope has a mathematics degee from Villanova. He understands tan but has difficulty with sin. ---
**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2025, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2025-papal-conclave/1017913/260 "2025-05-10T02:18:27Z")
But the Big Questiontm remains unanswered. Will Chicago style pizza (aka _soup in a bread bowl_) be available in Rome? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2025-papal-conclave/1017913.md?page=12) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2025-papal-conclave/1017913.md?page=14)