umm, whats with all this praying for the pope?

[m_welby]

Don't get me wrong, I liked the pope, He was probably the best head of the church in the last 50 years.

I just don't get all the 'praying for the pope" stuff. Seriously, is there some doubt that he will get into heaven?

Did I miss something? He is the pope right?

Is St. Peter going to tell him "lucky all those catholics were praying for you or you might not have gotten in".

I must just be uninformed.

[Jo March]

1. One thing that I've always been taught

If you are busy praying for someone else, then you won't think about yourself. So, it's good to focus on others and not yourself.

I'm explaining this clumsily but there's nothing wrong with praying for someone else's soul. It's a good thing.

Also, it's not that we think that the Pope won't get into Heaven but the Pope was human and all humans commit sin so...

Maybe someone else can explain this better than I did.

[Bouncy Ball]

2. Eh, if people want to do so, I don't see what it hurts.

Though I see your point, I'd rather people be busy praying than busy hurting others.

:shrug:

Your post could be the beginning of a comedy routine, btw.

[m_welby]

5. it is meant to be humorous ...

...not disrespectful of religion or people of faith. I don't want anyone to misunderstand.

..and I agree that praying is much better for the soul than hurting.

[CornField]

3. I've heard people this morning praying *to* JPII

The way one man explained it: "When he was sick and near death, we prayed for him. The transition has now been made and I have the wonderful opportunity to continue my relationship with him by praying to him."

I'm not at all Catholic (and still find most of their rituals fascinating), but I don't think pergatory would apply to a Pope. ???

[WillowTree]

4. That was someone from Poland.

He was much beloved in his homeland even before he became Pope and he's now regarded there as sort of an unofficial saint.

(Purgatory is for all. No "special dispensation" for Popes, who are, after all, human too.)

[Kerrytravelers]

6. At Mass on Saturday, the priest said it best.

There are good popes and there are bad popes. Just because you're pope doesn't mean you get a ticket straight to Heaven.

So, basically, I summed it up by saying: Everyone is accountable for their actions to someone.