CNN reporting the Vatican Press Office will be open 24 hrs....

...starting today (indicating that the end is near for John Paul II). Normally, it's open until 3pm.

Also, the Pope's personal Dr broke down and cried at the morning press conference given at the Vatican (also indicating the Pope is near death)...

Here come the jugglers and the bagpiper.

Here we go again! Death Watch Round II

election of its main character, Kyriel-like POPE, who was fashioned after the real life POPE JOHN XXIII.

The world needs a POPE with as much love for life and for humanity as the current POPE has, but with as liberal a view of GOD, RELIGION AND POLITICS as JOHN XXIII had.

I'm NOT slamming the Catholic Church OR the Pope here, but honestly, does the world really NEED a Pope? He's a man. Does his level of piety supposedly mean he's closer to God? I guess I just don't understand the significance of the Pope. He's the head of a huge church with millions of followers, but are they going to STOP believing if there's no Pope? :shrug:

Can someone explain to me the NEED and the PURPOSE of the Pope? That's an honest question, because I really don't understand the whole aspect.

No smart ass answers either, I want a REAL explanation, please.

if no pope, our prayers won't be heard by god.

it's such a vile bunch of crap. and yes, i'm catholic.

not need a Pope but, Catholics do, and on his death, history has it that Jesus told Peter that he would be His Vicar on earth in matters of faith ... so the papacy is a tradition and an institution. And, yes, the Pope is a man filled with all of the human virtues/and/or vices that each of us as human beings is capable of..and No. No one would stop believing if there were to be no Pope--just as there are many who do not believe simply because there IS a POPE who might be an all too human pope with whom they may not agree, or whom they might feel has been wrong and shortsighted on one or another issue...but when deep questions abound and people seem to come up with only short or shallow answers for it, it is comforting to be able to look at one head, providing one (hopefully deep, honest and illuminated) direction that you can agree or disagree with.

no we don't need no stinkin pope. the church does.

a holy water slurpee would taste good right about now.

Usually they keep their game face on.....