Does the pope need talent? Does he get to really decide anything of any importance?

@ steephie

He is the absolute ruler and dictator for life of the Vatican City State. And his opinion is listened to by over a billion followers. In terms of powerful people on the planet he's one of the top names. Yes, I'd say having talent would be an advantage.

It'll be interesting to see where he goes from this. He also maintained a small apartment and cooked his own meals. It would be interesting to see how he being this kind of thing into the Papacy.

Less chance of being poisoned, I guess. I'm not sure why him cooking his own meals is considered a virtue all of a sudden. "And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but even greater than these is home cooking."

Even if I was a multi-millionaire I'd still cook for myself. Maybe like me he just likes cooking.

It's like him not taking the limo and driver. Just a sign of humility perhaps.

Is it? I never knew there were so many humble people in the world. Good Lord, now that I think about it practically everyone I know is humble!

@Oct - Humble is relative. For me, humble would be taking a bus to work or walking to the grocer instead of driving the Benz. To someone who can afford the life of real luxury, living a simpler life (home cooked, driving onseself, etc) is being humble.

DRaug hit it on the nose. Compared to what he could of had as a cardinal he lives a modest humble life.

Erist, why do you care if it is a non-European? Are you even Catholic?

btw, He is the son of 2 Italian Immigrants to Argentina, so sure, he is not European born, but he is still European.

I am happy with this choice, and as a Catholic, I didnt want some PC move. This man qualifies. There was one other I wanted ahead of this man, but I am okay with him, and if I was not, it would not have mattered.

So we've had John Paul, now Jorge any bets on Ringo being the next but one being Ringo?

@Stressed Who were you hoping would be elected?

@ Draug

Can he afford a life of real luxury? I know parts of the Church are sick and currupt, but it's not so pathetic that it pays its Cardinals a small fortune, is it?

Even so, I don't see how driving and cooking for yourself is humble. Like I said, if I was insanely wealthy I'd still cook for myself. I'd still drive myself. It wouldn't be humility. It'd be me doing things I rather like doing and not having some tit bugger them up.

And, even if he is paid Megabucks and he is doing it to attempt to show humility, he fails on the "relative" stakes. The Church (bits of it) does humble really well. Go to a monastery and you will see a humble life. Relatively to the genuinely humble elements of the church, and the teachings of Christ (lest we forget) he isn't humble at all.

Scola was the one I suspected would be Pope.

Well you suspected but was that the one you wanted? Also, what's your take on his lifestyle and the such. He's suppose to of done a lot of work with the poor. How do you think that will affect his papacy?

He may still be. The new one is already well passed retirement age. Methinks the vatican should consider a more permanent chimney if they keep on electing people on the edge of national life expectancy.

Again, it is about relativity. He is humble compared to the other Cardinals who probably all have drivers and cooks. Just because you and I actually enjoy driving and cooking, doesn't mean everyone does. And it really falls down to his motivations. Is he doing it because he enjoys it/wnts to, or is he doing it because he feels compelled to put on a show. If the former, it can be a form of humility just as my growing my own apples, pears, lettuce, and cucumbers could be viewed that way. I partly do it to get closer to God, partly becaus eI love working with the earth (it is so the opposite of what I do 8 to 5 M-F) and partly because I enjoy eating the fruits of my labor as well as sharing them with my family, friends, and neighbors. Technically, that makes it a humble part of my lifestyle. But if I did it to try and appear humble, then I wouldn't be by any means.

To those who put on the airs of humility, they get their reward, adoration here on Earth. But those who do it not to appear humble but because they enjoy doing it and feel it brings them closer to God, they store up their rewards in heaven.

past* even :p

Well, My Mother is from Parma, which is close to Milan, and Scola was more than qualified, and conservative also, so he was who I was 'cheering' for I guess.

There was more than a few qualified though, but I wanted Scola, but I am okay with the one they chose.

I actually knew little about this man, until they started looking for a new one, and I was looking at the 'contenders''.

This man is a good man, although he is a bit long in the tooth

Pope elected.

White.

Old.

Man.

Nailed it!

This choice does not seem bad. Chemist, modest, likes cooking. Who else do we know who fits that description? :P

Nope... doesn't ring any bells...

@stressed: hell no, 12 years of catholic school kinda made sure I wouldn't grow up and be catholic. well that, and intelligence. just nice since the majority of catholics are you know, non-European and all the popes ever have been European that they choose one. Even if he will keep the catholic church about 200 years behind the times in most ways.

Better than the 300 years behind that they were with Benedict.

I wonder if he also enjoys some unpretentious wine every now and then.

We know he sends his dates home without havign sex. ;-)

Does he...?

Hang on a minute! It's redhouse! He's the chap we know who fits that description!

I am now muting Draugnar. I never thought it would come to this.