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Dirt
Guest
Pope Saint Pius X, and i ask him to pray for us daily that we will heed his warnings about the modernists who seek to destroy the Church.
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codefro
Guest
Voted for Pope Benedict XVI, but my second choice would’ve been Pope Pius XII! 
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AdDeum
Guest
I voted for Pope Benedict XVI. I wasn’t sure how to vote between him and Pope St Pius X. I settled on our current Pope, because he is obviously in my lifetime. I’ve read more from him than Pope St Pius X.
Venerable Pope Pius XII and Pope St Pius X are my favorites. Here is a defense of Venerable Pope Pius XII:
“We share in the grief of humanity [at the death of Pius XII]…. When fearful martyrdom came to our people in the decade of Nazi terror, the voice of the pope was raised for the victims. The life of our times was enriched by a voice speaking out on the great moral truths above the tumult of daily conflict. We mourn a great servant of peace.” - Golda Meir
“No keener rebuke has come to Nazism than from Pope Pius XI and his successor, Pope Pius XII.” - Rabbi Louis Finkelstein, chancellor, Jewish Theological Seminary of America
“In the most difficult hours of which we Jews of Romania have passed through, the generous assistance of the Holy See…was decisive and salutary. It is not easy for us to find the right words to express the warmth and consolation we experienced because of the concern of the supreme pontiff, who offered a large sum to relieve the sufferings of deported Jews…. The Jews of Romania will never forget these facts of historic importance.” - Rabbi Alexander Safran, chief rabbi of Romania
“The people of Israel will never forget what His Holiness and his illustrious delegates, inspired by the eternal principles of religion, which form the very foundation of true civilization, are doing for our unfortunate brothers and sisters in the most tragic hour of our history, which is living proof of Divine Providence in this world.” - Rabbi Isaac Herzog, chief rabbi of Israel
“I told [Pope Pius XII] that my first duty was to thank him, and through him the Catholic Church, on behalf of the Jewish public for all they had done in the various countries to rescue Jews…. We are deeply grateful to the Catholic Church.” - Moshe Sharett (who later became Israel’s first foreign minister and second prime minister)
Israeli diplomat Pinchas Lapide, cited to this day by those who defend the Pope, wrote in his Three Popes and the Jews (1967) that Pius [XII] “was instrumental in saving at least 700,000, but probably as many as 860,000 Jews from certain death at Nazi hands.”
Before the Dawn, by Eugenio Zolli, former Chief Rabbi of Rome during the Nazi persecutions. He converted to Catholicism, taking Pope Pius XII’s Christian name, Eugenio, as his own because of what the Pope did for the Jews during the War.
amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0912141468/thewolfboutique
Venerable Pope Pius XII, pray for us! Pope Pius XII saved many Jews; his silence was strategic. Here is a Jewish historian’s defense of Pope Pius XII:
academics.smcvt.edu/pcouture/jewish_historian_praises_pius_xi.htm
“We share in the grief of humanity [at the death of Pius XII]…. When fearful martyrdom came to our people in the decade of Nazi terror, the voice of the pope was raised for the victims. The life of our times was enriched by a voice speaking out on the great moral truths above the tumult of daily conflict. We mourn a great servant of peace.” - Golda Meir
“No keener rebuke has come to Nazism than from Pope Pius XI and his successor, Pope Pius XII.” - Rabbi Louis Finkelstein, chancellor, Jewish Theological Seminary of America
“In the most difficult hours of which we Jews of Romania have passed through, the generous assistance of the Holy See…was decisive and salutary. It is not easy for us to find the right words to express the warmth and consolation we experienced because of the concern of the supreme pontiff, who offered a large sum to relieve the sufferings of deported Jews…. The Jews of Romania will never forget these facts of historic importance.” - Rabbi Alexander Safran, chief rabbi of Romania
“The people of Israel will never forget what His Holiness and his illustrious delegates, inspired by the eternal principles of religion, which form the very foundation of true civilization, are doing for our unfortunate brothers and sisters in the most tragic hour of our history, which is living proof of Divine Providence in this world.” - Rabbi Isaac Herzog, chief rabbi of Israel
“I told [Pope Pius XII] that my first duty was to thank him, and through him the Catholic Church, on behalf of the Jewish public for all they had done in the various countries to rescue Jews…. We are deeply grateful to the Catholic Church.” - Moshe Sharett (who later became Israel’s first foreign minister and second prime minister)
Israeli diplomat Pinchas Lapide, cited to this day by those who defend the Pope, wrote in his Three Popes and the Jews (1967) that Pius [XII] “was instrumental in saving at least 700,000, but probably as many as 860,000 Jews from certain death at Nazi hands.”
Before the Dawn, by Eugenio Zolli, former Chief Rabbi of Rome during the Nazi persecutions. He converted to Catholicism, taking Pope Pius XII’s Christian name, Eugenio, as his own because of what the Pope did for the Jews during the War.
amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0912141468/thewolfboutique
Venerable Pope Pius XII, pray for us! Pope Pius XII saved many Jews; his silence was strategic. Here is a Jewish historian’s defense of Pope Pius XII:
academics.smcvt.edu/pcouture/jewish_historian_praises_pius_xi.htm
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The_Scott
Guest
I was very reluctant to vote, as I felt that voting for one pope implies that I disprove of the others.However, I finally voted for Pope Benedict XVI. Here are several reasons:
He’s a scholar, writing books in a theological and historical view of Christ and the Church. I’m a scholar by heart, so I prefer academic works on the faith and history of Christianity/Catholicism.
He has been very strong on restoring the Extraordinary Form of the Mass,
He has been strong against the heresy relativism in the world.
He’s a scholar, writing books in a theological and historical view of Christ and the Church. I’m a scholar by heart, so I prefer academic works on the faith and history of Christianity/Catholicism.
He has been very strong on restoring the Extraordinary Form of the Mass,
He has been strong against the heresy relativism in the world.
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ServoFides
Guest
Pope John Paul II is my favorite followed very closely by Pope Benedict XVI. God bless our pope!
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Debora123
Guest
JPII all the way.
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RPRPsych
Guest
Surprised to see so little love for Pope Pius XII.
He led the Church through a very difficult period of history.
He showed us how to be scientific without falling into pure secularism, in areas such as Biblical scholarship (Divino Afflante Spiritu) and biology (Humani Generis).
He provided a truly Catholic response to the Nazi atrocities, without falling either into craven pacifism, or an aggressive militarism that worships “chariots and horses” rather than God.
He formally defined the dogma of the Assumption of our Blessed Mother in Munificentissimus Deus, which was the last formal exercise of Papal infallibility.
Truly, he was a leader for the ages. Perhaps he was not “in the public eye” in the way that we, as moderns, were used to, but that does not detract from his greatness.
He led the Church through a very difficult period of history.
He showed us how to be scientific without falling into pure secularism, in areas such as Biblical scholarship (Divino Afflante Spiritu) and biology (Humani Generis).
He provided a truly Catholic response to the Nazi atrocities, without falling either into craven pacifism, or an aggressive militarism that worships “chariots and horses” rather than God.
He formally defined the dogma of the Assumption of our Blessed Mother in Munificentissimus Deus, which was the last formal exercise of Papal infallibility.
Truly, he was a leader for the ages. Perhaps he was not “in the public eye” in the way that we, as moderns, were used to, but that does not detract from his greatness.
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anp1215
Guest
But how many people remember his pontificate? People are probably just more likely to vote for who they knew and who personally affected them.Surprised to see so little love for Pope Pius XII.
He led the Church through a very difficult period of history.
He showed us how to be scientific without falling into pure secularism, in areas such as Biblical scholarship (Divino Afflante Spiritu) and biology (Humani Generis).
He provided a truly Catholic response to the Nazi atrocities, without falling either into craven pacifism, or an aggressive militarism that worships “chariots and horses” rather than God.
He formally defined the dogma of the Assumption of our Blessed Mother in Munificentissimus Deus, which was the last formal exercise of Papal infallibility.
Truly, he was a leader for the ages. Perhaps he was not “in the public eye” in the way that we, as moderns, were used to, but that does not detract from his greatness.
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RPRPsych
Guest
Exactly. That’s a common flaw with polls of this sort, because our “favourites” are often determined by proximity, ideology, or both.
In fact, if you were to plot out the results so far, you’d have a bimodal (double-peaked) distribution: one peak for St. Pius X (presumably by those who would self-identify as “traditional”, and treasure his teachings on Modernism as well as his emphasis on the Sacraments - or those who would remember him from the Society of St. Pius X), and another for “the Popes of our lifetime”, Bl. John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI. Everyone before and after has sort of been lost out, which is a pity.
An equally good case could be made for Pope Leo XIII (the father of prudent Biblical scholarship, as well as of authentic Catholic social teaching), but, again, he’s sort of dropped off the radar.
Perhaps a more interesting question would be “Which of the modern Popes (taking Bl Pius IX and the Immaculate Conception as an arbitrary cut-off) do you think has contributed the most to the Church?” Popes Leo and Pius XII would have a huge edge there, I’d guess.
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catholictiger
Guest
could I say all of them
but JPII he is responsible for what I think may be the greatest documents on theological anthropology in the history of the Church. He also has his named tied to the Compendium of Catholic Social teaching a very under appreciated document. You could also say that he is partially responsible for the growing number of vocations to the priesthood, JPII with his work with theology of the body, his compendium and his love of the youth (he started world youth day) may bring about a spring time for the Church.
While I love all of the popes and they have all done amazing things for the Church, JPII for me is my favorite.
BTW I say this with one of my two computer backgrounds as JPII. I have a dual monitor one picture is Mary and the Baby Jesus surrounded by Angles and the other is JPII.
I do love my german shepherd and JPII was kinda before my time as far as my faith life goes, but his influence has and will reach long after his passing to the next life. The fact that at seminary we have up to two classes influenced by writings and documents of JPII shows you what kinda influence he has had on the Catholic Church.
Sorry for the long post but I love my polish shepherd Who is now looking down on us from heaven praying constantly for the Church.
but JPII he is responsible for what I think may be the greatest documents on theological anthropology in the history of the Church. He also has his named tied to the Compendium of Catholic Social teaching a very under appreciated document. You could also say that he is partially responsible for the growing number of vocations to the priesthood, JPII with his work with theology of the body, his compendium and his love of the youth (he started world youth day) may bring about a spring time for the Church.
While I love all of the popes and they have all done amazing things for the Church, JPII for me is my favorite.
BTW I say this with one of my two computer backgrounds as JPII. I have a dual monitor one picture is Mary and the Baby Jesus surrounded by Angles and the other is JPII.
I do love my german shepherd and JPII was kinda before my time as far as my faith life goes, but his influence has and will reach long after his passing to the next life. The fact that at seminary we have up to two classes influenced by writings and documents of JPII shows you what kinda influence he has had on the Catholic Church.
Sorry for the long post but I love my polish shepherd
Who is now looking down on us from heaven praying constantly for the Church.
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catholictiger
Guest
I also like to say that I agree with the pity for no love to some of the other popes like Lio XIII and his encyclical Rerum Novarum which as you said has laid the foundation for Catholic Social Doctrine.
also Pope Paul VI for a couple of his big documents Gaudium Et Spes, and Humanae Vitae.
Pope Pius XII because of his courage in WWII
and maybe a couple of others as well.
As far as a top 5 or top 10 for me It would take me a while to throw it together because I would have to read up more on these popes above and others. But 1 for sure is JPII, and while I love my german shepherd I don’t think he is my favorite second pope if I knew lots about the others.
also Pope Paul VI for a couple of his big documents Gaudium Et Spes, and Humanae Vitae.
Pope Pius XII because of his courage in WWII
and maybe a couple of others as well.
As far as a top 5 or top 10 for me It would take me a while to throw it together because I would have to read up more on these popes above and others. But 1 for sure is JPII, and while I love my german shepherd I don’t think he is my favorite second pope if I knew lots about the others.
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Bl_Pope_Pius_IX
Guest
Why does it need to stop at Leo XIII! My favorite was his immediate predecessor, Pius IX. I will have to suffice with Pius X.
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StevenFrancis
Guest
Many great Popes here. Very hard to rank them. Even feels kind of “ooky” doing so. Are we even supposed to? 
I am personally, deeply impressed by, and emotionally moved by our current Pope, Benedict XVI. I feel that he is exactly the Pope the Lord’s Church needed at this time in history. He is full of agape love for the Church. He is laying the groundwork for the correct interpretation and implementation of the documents of Vatican II. He is encouraging Catholics to think, study, discern, and love the Church and the liturgy. But the topping on the cake, is that he may be the greatest theologian of the 20th (and 21st so far) centuries. When I read Pope Benedict, I am always amazed at the richness and wealth of philosophy and theology which he can present, and the way in which he can make it understandable to a shlub like me. His brilliance and insight radiate from him. This is a man who is thinking of the Lord all the time, and sharing those thoughts with us. And they’re always something good, honest, and most of all thought provoking, and engaging so that we the body of Christ, are becoming engaged in interested in the Church. I often get the feeling that the Church is being transfigured again, as in other points of history, but this time, I am a participating eye-witness. I have extraordinary love for our Pope Benedict XVI. As I have for most of the Popes who I study, (which haven’t been that many yet, honestly - I only started looking at the Church about 8 years ago, and have only been confirmed for 6 years, so, ask me again in another decade or so.
Peace,
I am personally, deeply impressed by, and emotionally moved by our current Pope, Benedict XVI. I feel that he is exactly the Pope the Lord’s Church needed at this time in history. He is full of agape love for the Church. He is laying the groundwork for the correct interpretation and implementation of the documents of Vatican II. He is encouraging Catholics to think, study, discern, and love the Church and the liturgy. But the topping on the cake, is that he may be the greatest theologian of the 20th (and 21st so far) centuries. When I read Pope Benedict, I am always amazed at the richness and wealth of philosophy and theology which he can present, and the way in which he can make it understandable to a shlub like me. His brilliance and insight radiate from him. This is a man who is thinking of the Lord all the time, and sharing those thoughts with us. And they’re always something good, honest, and most of all thought provoking, and engaging so that we the body of Christ, are becoming engaged in interested in the Church. I often get the feeling that the Church is being transfigured again, as in other points of history, but this time, I am a participating eye-witness. I have extraordinary love for our Pope Benedict XVI. As I have for most of the Popes who I study, (which haven’t been that many yet, honestly - I only started looking at the Church about 8 years ago, and have only been confirmed for 6 years, so, ask me again in another decade or so.
Peace,
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akka
Guest
Personally, I take Pope Pius IX and Pope John Paul II as my patron pope~
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udoc89
Guest
Pius X
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JeraldW
Guest
Not even going to vote- this is like trying to pick a favorite jelly bean at the jelly belly factory!
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