The newly elected Pope is Francis I (birth name: Jorge Bergoglio). He's from Argentina and prior to his name he served as the Argentine cardinal. He's 76 years old and is the 266th Pope. He's also the first non-European Pope since 1300 years ago, and the first Pope born in the Americas. Thoughts?
That's not just him, that's Church. One aspect of Christianity I completely disagree with. EDIT: didn't see that behind him. That's impossible to do.
What's funny about that is that at least in the U.S., the Catholic church is one of the divisions of Christianity that's actually more SUPPORTIVE of gay marriage. I think it's more of a geographical thing than anything (a lot of areas with large Catholic populations also happen to be in the New England states, which are traditionally pretty liberal), but I still find it interesting that they're pretty much right behind the Lutherans as far as accepting the idea goes, and way ahead of the Baptists, Methodists, and the various evangelical denominations. ...But I'm getting off topic here. When do we find out the "OMG this guy is secretly evil" bombshell like we did with the last Pope being a Hitler Youth?
All from Wikipedia: Following his 14th birthday in 1941, Ratzinger was conscripted into the Hitler Youth - as membership was required by law for all 14-year-old German boys after December 1939 - but was an unenthusiastic member who refused to attend meetings, according to his brother. In March 2012, he stated that heterosexual marriages should be defended from "every possible misrepresentation of their true nature". About Francis, though: He opposes same-sex marriage and has called it "demonic in origin". He has also insisted that adoption by gay and lesbian people is a form of discrimination against children. Enough evil for me. But nothing can be done about it. It's what it'll always be like with Church. I believe in God and agree with most of the Bible, but this one thing I can't accept.
Awesome, another old man to whine about gays who want to get married to the person they love, women who want to use contraception, programs in Africa to distribute condoms to the region hardest hit by AIDS, and protect pedophile priests. I was hoping with this pope, the Catholic Church would move out of the 12th century. Even a move to the 15th or 16th century would've been an improvement. But I guess that's too much to ask for. So I'll just leave you with the official mascot of The Vatican:
I agree, but I actually saw an interview with Penn Jillette that he described it perfectly: The Popes are supposed to represent the origins of the Catholic church, they are supposed to remain timeless. So it only makes sense that they wouldn't change just because the mainstream is becoming more accepting. It makes sense, even if it's not agreeable.
I'm a firm believer that traditions are bullshit. You have to evolve... All though they don't believe in evolution so I guess it fits.
I'm just waiting to see them running around trying to find him.....only to see that he took the bus to the church. He had his own place, took the bus the work, and made his own breakfast. I'm sure he didn't truly realized what he would have to give up in order to be the new pope.