# What happens when the pope goes senile?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-when-the-pope-goes-senile/204433>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [September 29, 2003, 5:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-when-the-pope-goes-senile/204433 "2003-09-29T05:53:20Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 3

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**Author:** ![Pergau](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7c8e57/32.png) [@Pergau](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pergau)\
**Post date:** [October 1, 2003, 12:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-when-the-pope-goes-senile/204433/41 "2003-10-01T12:27:36Z")

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Hi Rick, seems like I touched a nerve there.

> [@](#):
>
> So I must ask you two questions:
> 
> 1. What is your understanding of Papal infallibility?
> 2. Why would you post an answer in a GQ thread when you didn’t know your answer was correct?

I was only trying to join a discussion.

Prayers and analgesics, in the right proportions, should help you through the pain.  
_Pergau exits_

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**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\
**Post date:** [October 1, 2003, 1:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-when-the-pope-goes-senile/204433/42 "2003-10-01T13:12:56Z")

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> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by Pergau \*  
> Hi Rick, seems like I touched a nerve there.
> 
> I was only trying to join a discussion.
> 
> Prayers and analgesics, in the right proportions, should help you through the pain.  
> _Pergau exits_

You did touch a nerve – but I doubt it’s the one you’re thinking of.

The nerve touched in this case was the effort to “join a discussion” by posting an answer to a factual question, in a forum dedicated to accurate answers to factual questions – and choosing to post incorrect information.

Admittedly, I wouldn’t be having this discussion with you if you had posted incorrect information about, say, growing topiaries or espaliers – because I don’t know anything about that, and am unable to judge the accuracy of your answers. You’ll note, however, that should a question arise about topiaries, since I don’t know anything about the subject… I do not offer answers.

There are plenty of “just join the disucssion” opportunities on this board. I’d urge you consider the relaxed delights of MPSIMS, the heady, intoxicating friendly banter in IMHO, or the fiery depths of The Pit. Here in GQ, surely you can see the value in factual answers that are… well… factual.

- Rick

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**Author:** ![alterego](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/6bbea6/32.png) [@alterego](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alterego)\
**Post date:** [October 1, 2003, 1:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-when-the-pope-goes-senile/204433/43 "2003-10-01T13:14:27Z")

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w3rd

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**Author:** ![yabob](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yabob/32/2821_2.png) [@yabob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yabob)\
**Post date:** [October 1, 2003, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-when-the-pope-goes-senile/204433/44 "2003-10-01T15:41:54Z")

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> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by alterego \*  
> \*\ ***yabob,** the pope just appointed an additional 31 cardinals FYI \*\*

You’re right. I thought I had counted them, but 109 was the count BEFORE his 31 appointments, which makes the numbers even more impressive.

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