Papa?

[Phr3d]

I hope this is the right forum for this. Subject includes “Vatican rules” so that’s as close as I can find.

Is it appropriate for people to be calling Pope Benedict XVI papa? I understand it’s the latin used for the word Pope, but the English speakers using “Papa” seem to be doing so not because they speak latin, but because they think it’s cute.

Is there a history of English speakers referring to the Pope as “Papa” and shouldn’t he be spoken of using something more dignified such as “His Holiness” or even just “Pope Benedict XVI”?

-Phr3d

 

[chicago]

I think it is being used as sign of affection. Sort of like when the daughter of a friend of mine calls out to him. Pope, Holy Father, Papa, it’s all the same really just slightly different emphasis. Pope John XXIII was sometimes referred to as “Papa John”, for instance.

 

[mrS4ntA]

Phr3d:

I hope this is the right forum for this. Subject includes “Vatican rules” so that’s as close as I can find.

Is it appropriate for people to be calling Pope Benedict XVI papa? I understand it’s the latin used for the word Pope, but the English speakers using “Papa” seem to be doing so not because they speak latin, but because they think it’s cute.

Is there a history of English speakers referring to the Pope as “Papa” and shouldn’t he be spoken of using something more dignified such as “His Holiness” or even just “Pope Benedict XVI”?

-Phr3d

i dont see why not. The word “pope” means “father”; it was initially used within the Church because of the pope’s fatherly role within the Church – which is a “family”