# "Will no one rid us of of this troublesome priest." I am adding Pope Francis to the Death Pool **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [November 9, 2013, 3:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-no-one-rid-us-of-of-this-troublesome-priest-i-am-adding-pope-francis-to-the-death-pool/673480 "2013-11-09T03:08:27Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Inigo\_Montoya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inigo_montoya/32/124_2.png) [@Inigo\_Montoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inigo_Montoya)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2013, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-no-one-rid-us-of-of-this-troublesome-priest-i-am-adding-pope-francis-to-the-death-pool/673480/41 "2013-11-12T23:07:06Z")
> [@Yookeroo](#): > > Has he done anything that’s actually even pushed the envelope a little bit? I mean he’s said some moderately liberal things, but have any policies actually changed? I think he’s been a good PR guy (which isn’t valueless), but I’m not sure he’s done all the much to change things. His life is safe. Well, apart from being outwardly swell to those around him, he’s not so afraid of meeting his maker that he rides around behind bulletproof glass. Maybe he’s a crooked devil when he’s out of view, who knows, but his public face is a refreshing bit of humility and compassion that has eluded the office for many years. Arguably an organization’s leader sets the tone and course for the rest of the management. Considering how huge The Church is, even a modest step in the direction of Christy-ness amounts to a huge overall improvement worldwide. ---
**Author:** ![Inigo\_Montoya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inigo_montoya/32/124_2.png) [@Inigo\_Montoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inigo_Montoya)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2013, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-no-one-rid-us-of-of-this-troublesome-priest-i-am-adding-pope-francis-to-the-death-pool/673480/42 "2013-11-12T23:12:24Z")
nm ---
**Author:** ![computergeek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e56c9b/32.png) [@computergeek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/computergeek)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2013, 3:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-no-one-rid-us-of-of-this-troublesome-priest-i-am-adding-pope-francis-to-the-death-pool/673480/43 "2013-11-13T03:18:44Z")
> [@The Great Sun Jester](#): > > Well, apart from being outwardly swell to those around him, he’s not so afraid of meeting his maker that he rides around behind bulletproof glass. Maybe he’s a crooked devil when he’s out of view, who knows, but his public face is a refreshing bit of humility and compassion that has eluded the office for many years. Arguably an organization’s leader sets the tone and course for the rest of the management. Considering how huge The Church is, even a modest step in the direction of Christy-ness amounts to a huge overall improvement worldwide. That’s just it. He’s a swell guy coming after a not-so-swell guy. Anyone would have a problem following JPII and Benedict wasn’t up to it, in so many ways. Francis is just so open and non-ogre-y. He may have to walk back some of his comments, but I’d rather it be because he was coming across as too nice and open and compassionate and not throwing daggers at Jews or Muslims or anybody else. He seems to be trying to make the face of the church more compassionate and loving instead of so mean and dour. Benedict was just so wrong a choice coming after JPII ---
**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:** [November 13, 2013, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-no-one-rid-us-of-of-this-troublesome-priest-i-am-adding-pope-francis-to-the-death-pool/673480/44 "2013-11-13T19:42:47Z")
> [@Frazzled](#): > > In another win for Pope Francis, Sarah Palin is not a fan of his: > > [http://thelead.blogs.cnn.com/2013/11/12/sarah-palin-taken-aback-by-pope-franciss-liberal-statements/?hpt=hp\_t2](http://thelead.blogs.cnn.com/2013/11/12/sarah-palin-taken-aback-by-pope-franciss-liberal-statements/?hpt=hp_t2) To be fair, this may be the very first time in recorded history that Sarah Palin is correct. The [New York Times piece](http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/20/world/europe/pope-bluntly-faults-churchs-focus-on-gays-and-abortion.html) on [this _La Civilta_ interview with Francis](http://www.americamagazine.org/pope-interview) is incredibly misleading. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2013, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-no-one-rid-us-of-of-this-troublesome-priest-i-am-adding-pope-francis-to-the-death-pool/673480/45 "2013-11-13T20:23:13Z")
> [@Mighty\_Girl](#): > > [El papa demotes bishop of bling](http://www.addictinginfo.org/2013/10/24/pope-sends-message-clergy-pursue-wealth-bans-bishop-bling-diocese-video/). > [Pope Francis called Christian fundamentalism a sickness.](http://www.addictinginfo.org/2013/10/21/pope-francis-right-wing-christians/) > > And so on… > > I am a recovering Catholic, fiercely atheist, and I kinda like the guy a little, but somehow I think he will end up pissing off one too many people. Am I the only one that fears for his life? Well, he apparently [bewilders Sarah Palin](http://thelead.blogs.cnn.com/2013/11/12/sarah-palin-taken-aback-by-pope-franciss-liberal-statements/) – no big deal there . . . But, [this Pope is also making the Mob nervous.](http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2013/11/13/anti-mob-prosecutor-pope-francis-making-the-mafia-nervous-and-agitated/) > [@](#): > > Pope Francis’s crusade against corruption has made him a target for Italy’s all-powerful mafia clans, a leading anti-mob prosecutor has warned. > > Nicola Gratteri, who has battled Calabria’s shadowy ‘Ndrangheta mafia, said on Wednesday that Francis’s attempt to bring transparency to the Vatican was making the white collar mobsters who do business with corrupt prelates “nervous and agitated”. > > He told the Italian daily Il Fatto Quotidiano: “Pope Francis is dismantling centres of economic power in the Vatican. > > Francis, who has called for “a poor church”, has backed reform at the Vatican’s bank, which has been suspected for years of being a channel for the laundering of mob profits. This week police impounded a luxury hotel on Rome’s Janiculum hill – formerly a monastery – which the ‘Ndrangheta allegedly purchased from a religious order. > > In a fiery sermon on Monday, Francis railed against corruption and quoted the bible’s advice that practitioners be thrown into the sea with a millstone tied around their neck. [roll _The Godfather Part III]_ ---
**Author:** ![Saintly\_Loser](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saintly_loser/32/4045_2.png) [@Saintly\_Loser](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saintly_Loser)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2013, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-no-one-rid-us-of-of-this-troublesome-priest-i-am-adding-pope-francis-to-the-death-pool/673480/46 "2013-11-13T20:27:43Z")
> [@thelurkinghorror](#): > > Yeah, any blogs or papers or something? I occasionally read _America_. It’s a Jesuit publication, and they’re creaming themselves over him, so a counterpoint would be good. You’re not going to find any dislike of this pope in the pages of _America_, of course. But if you want to see the creepy underbelly of conservative Catholicism, look here: www.fisheaters.com. ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2013, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-no-one-rid-us-of-of-this-troublesome-priest-i-am-adding-pope-francis-to-the-death-pool/673480/47 "2013-11-13T20:31:00Z")
Jerome Corsi is a nut (he’s a prime shaker in the birther wars), but I don’t remember him ever being a “Vatican II was illegitimate!” sort of nut. So I think he, and people like him, are a data point in favor of conservative Catholics having some issues with Francis: [No joke this time: Is the pope Catholic?](http://www.wnd.com/2013/09/is-pope-francis-even-catholic/) > [@](#): > > But with a series of recent pronouncements and decisions bucking papal tradition, Pope Francis has many Catholics wondering if the Catholic Church will survive his papacy. [This one](http://www.wnd.com/2013/09/pope-francis-risky-business-sparks-internal-fire/#e49p4uhbl4LlvfWf.99), about the forces lining up against Francis, made me laugh with this sentence: > [@](#): > > Pope Francis’ determination to take the Catholic Church back to **what he perceives as Christ’s mission to help the poor, the infirm and those less fortunate in life** is clearly not popular with those in the Vatican who expected him to move into the papal apartments, put on the pope’s crimson robes and accept a life of luxury and privilege afforded to the modern popes who have preceded him as head of the Catholic Church. Emphasis mine. ---
**Author:** ![thelurkinghorror](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7c8e57/32.png) [@thelurkinghorror](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelurkinghorror)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2013, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-no-one-rid-us-of-of-this-troublesome-priest-i-am-adding-pope-francis-to-the-death-pool/673480/48 "2013-11-13T21:36:09Z")
Fisheaters? Kinky. NB: ‘Ndrangheta is not the Sicilian Costa Nostra from the Godfather. They are from the tip of the boot that is kicking Sicily, and hardly friends. Besides all that P2 stuff in the Godfather though, the mafia has shown themselves willing to kill churchmen, see [Pino Puglisi](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pino_Puglisi). > [@](#): > > But with a series of recent pronouncements and decisions bucking papal tradition, Pope Francis has many Catholics wondering if the Catholic Church will survive his papacy. A known crank, never met a conspiracy he didn’t like. Sure, “many.” But I’m sure that there are several times more people who literally think that Obama is a lizard person. And I’m sure that there are many people who disagree with that, and say no, he’s a mole person from the center of the earth. If you claim to have faith in the Church, you’d think you’d believe that it can’t be toppled after 2000 years. ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2013, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-no-one-rid-us-of-of-this-troublesome-priest-i-am-adding-pope-francis-to-the-death-pool/673480/49 "2013-11-13T21:43:09Z")
> [@Mighty\_Girl](#): > > [El papa demotes bishop of bling](http://www.addictinginfo.org/2013/10/24/pope-sends-message-clergy-pursue-wealth-bans-bishop-bling-diocese-video/). > [Pope Francis called Christian fundamentalism a sickness.](http://www.addictinginfo.org/2013/10/21/pope-francis-right-wing-christians/) > > And so on… > > I am a recovering Catholic, fiercely atheist, and I kinda like the guy a little, but somehow I think he will end up pissing off one too many people. Am I the only one that fears for his life? No. I worry about him too. I’m not a Catholic of any stripe, but I too kind of like him. I think his combination of calling out assholes and refusal of ostentation is gonna get him shot. I also think, if someone were to point this out to him, he’d say, “Yeah, probably. What’s your point?” ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2013, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-no-one-rid-us-of-of-this-troublesome-priest-i-am-adding-pope-francis-to-the-death-pool/673480/50 "2013-11-13T21:44:39Z")
> [@thelurkinghorror](#): > > A known crank, never met a conspiracy he didn’t like. Sure, “many.” But I’m sure that there are several times more people who literally think that Obama is a lizard person. And I’m sure that there are many people who disagree with that, and say no, he’s a mole person from the center of the earth. If you claim to have faith in the Church, you’d think you’d believe that it can’t be toppled after 2000 years. Well, the poster was just looking for conservative Catholics who aren’t just rejecting anything post-Vatican II who have a problem with Francis. Corsi is a nut, but he still fits the bill. ---
**Author:** ![thelurkinghorror](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7c8e57/32.png) [@thelurkinghorror](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelurkinghorror)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2013, 12:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-no-one-rid-us-of-of-this-troublesome-priest-i-am-adding-pope-francis-to-the-death-pool/673480/51 "2013-11-14T00:43:32Z")
> [@jsgoddess](#): > > Well, the poster was just looking for conservative Catholics who aren’t just rejecting anything post-Vatican II who have a problem with Francis. Corsi is a nut, but he still fits the bill. Not where I was going. Basically I think he’s being a drama queen, and even if you don’t like the Pope, it doesn’t lead you to be believe he’ll destroy the papacy any more than Alexander VI did. ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2013, 12:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-no-one-rid-us-of-of-this-troublesome-priest-i-am-adding-pope-francis-to-the-death-pool/673480/52 "2013-11-14T00:49:04Z")
> [@thelurkinghorror](#): > > Not where I was going. Basically I think he’s being a drama queen, and even if you don’t like the Pope, it doesn’t lead you to be believe he’ll destroy the papacy any more than Alexander VI did. Well, yes. That’s why I said Corsi is a nut. ---
**Author:** ![Senegoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senegoid/32/6606_2.png) [@Senegoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Senegoid)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2013, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-no-one-rid-us-of-of-this-troublesome-priest-i-am-adding-pope-francis-to-the-death-pool/673480/53 "2013-11-14T20:36:48Z")
**Mighty\_Girl** (the OP) isn’t the only one worried over the Pope’s safety. Articles in today’s media are saying that an Italian prosecutor with experience in chasing after the Mafia, is now worried that Francis may really be ruffling some dangerous feathers, with his anti-corruption reformist calls. Example article (there are many others): [Prosecutor warns of a mafia threat against Pope Francis](http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/on-faith/prosecutor-warns-of-a-mafia-threat-against-pope-francis/2013/11/13/52762d56-4ca5-11e3-bf60-c1ca136ae14a_story.html) by Eric J. Lyman, Washington Post, Nov. 14 (or 13?), 2013. Google search for keywords pope francis mafia threat shows many more similar. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2013, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-no-one-rid-us-of-of-this-troublesome-priest-i-am-adding-pope-francis-to-the-death-pool/673480/54 "2013-11-26T23:33:02Z")
[Pope Francis criticizes trickle-down economics, rising wealth inequality and the “idolatry of money.”](http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/pope-francis-denounces-trickle-down-economic-theories-in-critique-of-inequality/2013/11/26/e17ffe4e-56b6-11e3-8304-caf30787c0a9_story.html) ---
**Author:** ![computergeek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e56c9b/32.png) [@computergeek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/computergeek)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2013, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-no-one-rid-us-of-of-this-troublesome-priest-i-am-adding-pope-francis-to-the-death-pool/673480/55 "2013-11-27T00:12:44Z")
Along with the above, [Pope calls for big changes in Roman Catholic Church](http://www.cnn.com/2013/11/26/world/pope-church-reforms/). > [@](#): > > “I prefer a Church which is bruised, hurting and dirty because it has been out on the streets, rather than a Church which is unhealthy from being confined and from clinging to its own security,” the Pope said Tuesday in a major new address. > > “I do not want a Church concerned with being at the center and then ends by being caught up in a web of obsessions and procedures.” I think I’m in love. ---
**Author:** ![Gorsnak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gorsnak/32/7587_2.png) [@Gorsnak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gorsnak)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2013, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-no-one-rid-us-of-of-this-troublesome-priest-i-am-adding-pope-francis-to-the-death-pool/673480/56 "2013-11-27T00:20:49Z")
Dude apparently wasn’t just fucking around when he picked the name Francis. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2013, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-no-one-rid-us-of-of-this-troublesome-priest-i-am-adding-pope-francis-to-the-death-pool/673480/57 "2013-11-27T00:38:39Z")
OK, that Fisheaters site is hilarious. One of their signs of trouble in the Church is “…your RCIA class was hardly Catholic”. No, it wasn’t Catholic at all. That’s the whole point of an RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults) class: It’s for people converting to Catholicism. If you’re already Catholic, you don’t go to RCIA. ---
**Author:** ![Mighty\_Girl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7bcc69/32.png) [@Mighty\_Girl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mighty_Girl)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2013, 1:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-no-one-rid-us-of-of-this-troublesome-priest-i-am-adding-pope-francis-to-the-death-pool/673480/58 "2013-12-02T13:43:48Z")
> [@computergeek](#): > > Along with the above, [Pope calls for big changes in Roman Catholic Church](http://www.cnn.com/2013/11/26/world/pope-church-reforms/). > I think I’m in love. This will not go well with some people. As somebody who “lost her faith” 20 years ago, and finally walked out 15 years ago, this is the first time I am excited (and not in the ravingly mad sense) by anything the RCC does. I wish there were no religions, but since I am not going to get my wish, the best next one is for religions to become sane. ---
**Author:** ![astorian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ad7895/32.png) [@astorian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astorian)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2013, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-no-one-rid-us-of-of-this-troublesome-priest-i-am-adding-pope-francis-to-the-death-pool/673480/59 "2013-12-02T17:50:48Z")
> [@Mighty\_Girl](#): > > [El papa demotes bishop of bling](http://www.addictinginfo.org/2013/10/24/pope-sends-message-clergy-pursue-wealth-bans-bishop-bling-diocese-video/). > [Pope Francis called Christian fundamentalism a sickness.](http://www.addictinginfo.org/2013/10/21/pope-francis-right-wing-christians/) > > And so on… > > I am a recovering Catholic, fiercely atheist, and I kinda like the guy a little, but somehow I think he will end up pissing off one too many people. Am I the only one that fears for his life? Yes, you are the only one. Or, rather, IF there’s a threat to his life, it will come from some loony like John Hinckley, not from an albino Opus Dei operative. I’m a faithful, conservative Catholic, and have reservations about the direction Francis intends to take the Church, but on a purely personal level? It’s very hard not to like this guy. That said, the Pope is (gasp!) Catholic, and contrary to what the media would have you believe, he’s GENERALLY saying the same things his predecessors have. It’s usually a mistake to describe the Church in political terms, but if we MUST do so… well, John Paul II and Benedict XVI were LIBERAL in economic and foreign policy terms. Hence, when Francis talks about poverty, he’s NOT actually shifting the Church leftward. It already WAS on the Left, economically. What does that leave? A PERCEPTION that Francis is pro-gay and not really a stickler about abortion. A perception that’s not really justified by his actions to date. > **[Pope Francis Excommunicates Pro-Gay Priest](https://www.huffpost.com/entry/pope-francis-excommunicates-priest-greg-reynolds_n_3983059)** > > Pope Francis Excommunicates Pro-Gay Priest ---
**Author:** ![Frazzled](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/frazzled/32/3368_2.png) [@Frazzled](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frazzled)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2013, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-no-one-rid-us-of-of-this-troublesome-priest-i-am-adding-pope-francis-to-the-death-pool/673480/60 "2013-12-02T20:06:05Z")
Count Rush Limbaugh out as one of his supporters: [http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2013/12/02/rush-limbaugh-vs-the-pope/?hpt=hp\_t1](http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2013/12/02/rush-limbaugh-vs-the-pope/?hpt=hp_t1) Sarah Palin dislikes him as well. The Popes comments are very much in line with New Testament thinking. Republicans want to sell the idea that God is on their side and as proof rewards them with wealth. It’s a form of Propserity Gospel. Pope Francis has the gall to call that bullshit and that’s ruffled more than a few feathers. What Francis is saying really isn’t very extreme. Most moderate Christians I know recognize that his message is keeping in line with Biblical teaching. It may come to pass that this breaks some of the republican ownership of religion. The fallout from this will be quite interesting - and should reveal some true colors in the next few weeks as politicians feel the need to respond to it. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-no-one-rid-us-of-of-this-troublesome-priest-i-am-adding-pope-francis-to-the-death-pool/673480.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-no-one-rid-us-of-of-this-troublesome-priest-i-am-adding-pope-francis-to-the-death-pool/673480.md?page=4)