the Pope

I mostly identify with religions in regards to culture... I consider myself 1/2 watered down WASP & 1/2 fallen Catholic, with some Cajun thrown in. Being that both of my parents came from more hardcore of the two, and were pretty much non-practicing themselves. That works, right?

The Catholic school girl that lives in my mom had us watching mid-night mass religiously on tv with the Pope and I've always been intrigued by the pomp, circumstance, and regalia of it all. As I got older (and read The Da Vinci Code on the beaches of Santorini) and more interested in reading the news and politics in general, I realized the great power the Pope has, and how this plays out across the world.

While studying in Salzburg, I had the opportunity to go to the Vatican City for Easter Sunday Mass (2nd to last one that Pope John Paul delivered). What led to my trip there is a story in and of itself (to be blogged about at a later time, b/c it's a good one). It's worth mentioning though because a) that lovely photo below was taken there and is one of my all time favs (that was a photo taken on what was then known as B&W film, I don't have a scanner, so just took a photo w/ my phone, crappy quality), and b) it piqued my interest even more once he died and the election of the new pope happened.

So fast forward.... RATZINGER RESIGNED!!! I read those headlines at 6am on my vacation in L.A. and was flabbergasted.  SAY WHAT??? A modern-pope hasn't resigned in over 600 years.... shizzznat be goin down in V-City!!!

So here we are... the election of a new pope, while another one is there in retirement. I've been following all kinds of articles about the speculation behind it. Is it a PR move? Is it to keep Pope Benedict from being tried in the ICC? Will they elect an African Pope to help spread Catholicism in Africa? --- soap box about the counter-productivity of the Catholic Church in Africa in regards to the fight to reduce HIV, and their abstinence only preaching in many countries that are plagued by rape and lack of knowledge of prevention, such as the use of condoms. 

I'm excited to see how this all plays out... to watch the smoke rise from Vatican signalling whether or not they have a decision; who will it be?

I'd like to have a Body & Blood Party (bread & wine), but I only know of one friend (NR) that would actually be interested in watching the "election results." Stay tuned...