12-20-2013, 08:29 AM
$tevie wrote:
Exactly. Most of the country's takeaway was "sexy girlfriend" and "high school dropout". And then something else came along. I don't see his actions changing anything except how a few world leaders feel about us.
The Pope could conceivably change the relationship of the Vatican to the Church it supposedly works for.
And Edie Windsor has already caused the moment whereby the Supreme Court upheld marriage equality. She is the one who had the most influence this year. Unless you count Ted Cruz, another candidate, demonstrating what a train wreck the Tea Party is trying to cause.
And really, the internet was voting for Miley Cyrus. The internet is a ass.
No single Pope, no matter how long lived, has the ability to reshape the (currently righ-wing reactionary) College of Cardinals. Public Papal pronouncements are mere suggestions for them, they see them implemented when they agree, not when they don't.
The last two popes skewed the College as badly as the previous President and his father predecessor skewed our Supreme Court. Unless Frank can maneuver a like minded successor into place, any shift in church doctrine or practice will die with him.
Anyone remember the euphoria that accompanied the elevation of John Paul XXIII? He wasn't called the place keeper for nothing, he was 77 when anointed - same age as Frankie. Should Francisco live to reign twice the time of JPXXIII, it won't come near to the time it would take to turn this iceberg that they call the Church.
Arch conservative Catholics and their allied clergy have little to fear from this Pope. On the bright side, any of you (even Pops*) has a better chance of seeing Heaven than the majority of Cardinals - past or present.
* Man will he be surprised.