I’m surprised no one has said anything yet, this is going to effect millions of people all over the world. The Pope’s condition is deteriorating rapidly now and the indication is that he only has a very short time to live.

I’m not a Roman Catholic, if anything I’m an agnostic, but I do believe Pope John Paul II is the ultimate humanitarian, and his struggle for peace and harmony amongst all nations and religions has been an inspiration to millions.

This man of dignity and genuine compassion has my total respect and I will be sad when he dies, and sad for all the people for whom he meant so much.

I only hope he is afforded as much dignity in death as in life.

Like you, Nox I am not a Catholic and as much as I did not share some of the views that the Pope had, I do admire him for his beliefs and that he is idolised by millions.

I only hope that his suffering may not last much longer and that he will soon be at peace.

I have been following this news all day. I am not a catholic but I have family that are.

I hope his suffering ends soon...

ooo gosh I have been up and down about this all day!

My mother is a really strong Catholic and it is her birthday and it is April Fools day. So I thought what a fitting day to go Popey!!

That sounds terribly heartless and I suppose it is - don't get me wrong I often resort to black humour in times of sadness. But the this lovely man [who I have nothing against personally], is a man who represents a way of life that I find intolerable. [divorce, contraception, abortion, the shackling of women etc]

Anyway back to the good parts - he is true to his faith, he has been an inspiration to millions of Catholics, he is the third longest serving Pope in the history of Popeship, he is a lovely grand-daddy sort of guy, and he is very sweet and humble. And I actually quite like him - so it is very sad. BUT Pop John Paul the second is a true beleiver in suffering like Jesus - so I say he is fulfilling his own destiny right now - so I don't feel sorry for him, I admire him.

Noxy I was going to start a thread onthis earlier - but didn't really know what to say other than he is going to die!

I wonder who the next one will be?? I wonder whether all the cardinals will be vieing for the position - I wonder is it a CV sort of job or what?? I have always been curious about this. Then they all ponder for a few days and then we see the white smoke - it is a bit thrilling, I have no idea why, cos I am not really in the least bit interested in this religion.

RIP Pope
I wonder if there will ever be an Englsih pope

RIP Pope
I wonder if there will ever be an Englsih pope

Bob has he gone??

No he has not gone yet although I think it won't be long he is a great man who has outraged strong catholics by his more liberal views to progress the church into the present away from some of the more draconian laws. He has made more saints than any other pope and has created the innocents to help single mothers (this would be abhored by previous popes) and fought the mafia in Italy :cry:

Even though it has been a long time since I practised any sort of catholic faith, I do feel some sadness at the news that this man is dying. I remeber when he was invested (is that the right term) into his position, and I suppose it brings back memories of long ago. But although I fell out with the church in general I do think he was personaly a very strong man.

Oh goodness after posting here - I have put the Sky news on - and it is all about the Pope. It sounds like it is really quite close.:sad:

They are saying it is an undignified way to die? I really don't see how or why - a lot of deaths are undignified, and what they are not grasping is that this is how the Pope, himself chooses to go.

I was born into the Catholic faith and so this is terribly interesting for me - but I rejected Catholicism over 20 years ago, but I do understand how important this is for Catholics throughout the world.

It is very sad.

The next Pope will be my fourth Pope - I always as a youngster felt very priveledged living through 3 Popes.

I'm not Catholic, but I do have a lot of respect for The Pope. I find him an amazing man, who has led an amazing life and when he dies, the Catholic Church will lose a brilliant ambassador.

Whether or not you believe in what he stands for, I don't know many people who would argue against the fact that he was a good man.

But, everyone's got to die, and this particular death has been on the cards for quite some time. I hope it's quick for him.

Btw - was anyone else surprised to hear that he was 84? I though he was at least a decade older than that. :unsure:

Btw - was anyone else surprised to hear that he was 84? I though he was at least a decade older than that. :unsure:

Actually I forgot this fact - but my husband commented tonight that he was really old when he became Pope - so I suppose it is not surprising. Having said that my Father in Law is the same age aand is fit as a lop - there but for the grace of God goes He!

I was born into the Catholic faith and so this is terribly interesting for me - but I rejected Catholicism over 20 years ago, but I do understand how important this is for Catholics throughout the world.

It is very sad.

The next Pope will be my fourth Pope - I always as a youngster felt very priveledged living through 3 Popes.

I was only saying similar to Mr Q last night Flip! My Nan had a photo of him on the dresser - with all the pics of us as kids.......

I was the only member of my family NOT to go to see the Pope in 1982 - I was working at the hotel where most of the media "types" were staying, so that was my reason not to go (and believe me, it had to be a bluddy good one as far as Pa was concerned!) - I feel quite sad about it now, even though Im not a believer, that I missed the chance to meet a great man in history.......

Whatever I feel about the catholic church, I think the pope deserves to die in peace. I find this media vulture culture (I just made that up) very distasteful.

Do we really need to have a running commentary of his last hours? It's all a bit like ambulance chasing to me. let the poor man die in peace - you'll still get your story.

I think he is an extraordinary figure and his passing id going to affect the great majority of the whole world to some degree.
At least he is definately going to heaven.

Whatever I feel about the catholic church, I think the pope deserves to die in peace. I find this media vulture culture (I just made that up) very distasteful.

Do we really need to have a running commentary of his last hours? It's all a bit like ambulance chasing to me. let the poor man die in peace - you'll still get your story.

Hear hear ....

STOP PRESS:

The Pope has died. THe Vatican confirmed that he passed away at 8.37 tonight.

This is a very sad day for the RC church.

R I P

Oh. I am relieved the poor man is not suffering anymore, his maker awaits him with open arms.

:sleep:

RIP Pope John Paul II he will be sadly missed, but he is with his God now

This is quite a sad event. He seemed to have been Pope forever. He was certainly the only Pope I have ever known in my adult life.

RIP.

Apparently he was young by comparison when he became Pope Flip Flop, although even at 58 he looked older by a decade.

I think part of the sadness for me anyway, is watching an old man die in public which is what we've been doing for the last few years. His suffering was quite plain to see, his increasing frailty played out in the public arena as he struggled to complete his duties. It was his decision of course and I have to admire him for his dedication and faith to continue his works to the end.