John Cornwell - Pope Benedict more charismatic than expected

[judicame]

timesonline.co.uk/newspaper/0,176-1869404,00.html

The Sunday Times

God’s rottweiler lies down with the lambs

November 13, 2005

The election of Pope Benedict was seen as a victory for reactionary Catholics, but he has chosen to surprise them, writes John Cornwell

http://images.thetimes.co.uk/images/trans.gifVisiting a children’s hospital in Rome recently, Pope Benedict XVI approached a sick boy. Instead of eagerly greeting the new pontiff, the child screamed with terror. A nurse speculated that since His Holiness was dressed in white the boy probably thought he was a doctor, but devotees of the last pope were quick to observe that no child ever screamed at the approach of John Paul II.

Yet elsewhere Benedict XVI, formerly Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, has — surprisingly — been steadily gaining in popularity since his election on April 18. NI_MPU(‘middle’);The pilgrim numbers in St Peter’s Basilica were up this summer by 10% on recent years and he attracted an enthusiastic turnout of more than 1m faithful at the World Youth Day fest in Cologne two months ago. Seven months into his papacy he is, as Newsweek put it last week, “more complex and charismatic than expected”. Is it possible that Benedict, once known as God’s rottweiler, has been tamed by his papal elevation?

[…More…]](The Times & The Sunday Times)

 

[Guar_Fan]

judicame:

Visiting a children’s hospital in Rome recently, Pope Benedict XVI approached a sick boy. Instead of eagerly greeting the new pontiff, the child screamed with terror.

Several folks on the web have noted the Pope’s likeness to the Emperor in the Star Wars movies. Perhaps this is why the child was scared.
http://www.agrandillusion.com/empirestrikesback.jpg

I must say that Pope Benedict XVI has been a surprise. He is making an effort to listen to all sides…and that is a good thing.

 

[bones_IV]

Guar Fan:

Several folks on the web have noted the Pope’s likeness to the Emperor in the Star Wars movies. Perhaps this is why the child was scared.
http://www.agrandillusion.com/empirestrikesback.jpg

I must say that Pope Benedict XVI has been a surprise. He is making an effort to listen to all sides…and that is a good thing.

Anyone who makes that rediculous comparison in my face I would wring his neck. Benedict did tell the Austrian bishops thus, “A bishops first duty is to preach the faith”, Pope Benedict reminded the Austrian hierarchy. He said that “while teaching the faith should be prudent and sensitive this should not prevent us from presenting the message clearly, even on those subjects that do not enjoy widespread approval or that give rise to protest or even derision.”

 

[mdzialo1]

Hey Bones,

I like your style.

 

[AJC]

timesonline.co.uk/newspaper/0,176-1869404,00.html

The Sunday Times

God’s rottweiler lies down with the lambs

November 13, 2005

The election of Pope Benedict was seen as a victory for reactionary Catholics, but he has chosen to surprise them, writes John Cornwell

http://images.thetimes.co.uk/images/trans.gifVisiting a children’s hospital in Rome recently, Pope Benedict XVI approached a sick boy. Instead of eagerly greeting the new pontiff, the child screamed with terror. A nurse speculated that since His Holiness was dressed in white the boy probably thought he was a doctor, but devotees of the last pope were quick to observe that no child ever screamed at the approach of John Paul II.

Yet elsewhere Benedict XVI, formerly Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, has — surprisingly — been steadily gaining in popularity since his election on April 18. NI_MPU(‘middle’);The pilgrim numbers in St Peter’s Basilica were up this summer by 10% on recent years and he attracted an enthusiastic turnout of more than 1m faithful at the World Youth Day fest in Cologne two months ago. Seven months into his papacy he is, as Newsweek put it last week, “more complex and charismatic than expected”. Is it possible that Benedict, once known as God’s rottweiler, has been tamed by his papal elevation?

[…More…]](The Times & The Sunday Times)

What next kudos from Garry Wills? If Cornwell likes Pope Benedict XVI should we be worried?

AJC :bigyikes: