[Abernathy]

Here we go with the runners and riders. Take your pick.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025 ... es-succeed

[Youngian]

Better choice than the Hungarian bloke.

[Abernathy]

.

[Killer Whale]

I, for one, still believe in a Disco Pope.

[kreuzberger]

I don't think that this is a pivotal moment for the catholic church, as some commentators would have us think. That ship sailed with JP2, and appointing Ratzi was a convulsion which did no credit to the old guard of reactionary Cardinals who would have been more suited to the court of King Canute.

My money is on the next pope being a continuation of this progressive direction of travel towards a church which chimes more closely with all in the world that it cannot deny.

I just hope that she's Black.

[Abernathy]

I’m finding it quite difficult to keep my natural rationalist/atheist snark in check. ITN was just reporting from St Peter’s Square, and spoke to a bloke that had travelled specially from Liverpool in a smart suit and tie, who had spent 8 hours in a massive queue to get into the basilica and stroll past Pope Frankie in his box. He told the reporter “Yeah, it was totally worth it, spending all those hours queuing to get those few seconds with the Holy Father.”

I’m afraid I muttered “fucking idiot” under my breath and was glared at by Mrs A for my cynicism.

But the whole Christianity thing is kind of obsessed with death, isn’t it ? Or rather, with cheating death. A fantasy that dying isn’t the end, common, I guess to all religions, but particularly central to the Christian faith, with Jeebus as a kind of zombie-in chief. It is utterly preposterous.

[Boiler]

I, for one, still believe in a Disco Pope.

Why God invented the timebase corrector.... MY EYES! (I just listened in the end)

[satnav]

I will go with which ever candidate most annoys Trump and the other Maga nutjobs who thought that Pope Francis was a communist because he cared about the poor.

[davidjay]

I think I'd do a good job.

[satnav]

Perhaps they need to launch some kind of talent show to try and identify the best candidates - the could call it 'Pope Idol'.

[Watchman]

Maybe Trump will make choosing the “right” Pope, a condition of any trade deal.

[AOB]

Prince William, representing Charles at the funeral, was probably dreading getting a phone call from his dad this week, after it was announced it would be the same day as his team Aston Villa playing at Wembley in the FA Cup Semi Final. "Fuck's sake, papa. Can't you get Uncle Eddie to go instead?"

[Abernathy]

A nice piece in the LRB about Pope Frankie :

https://www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v47/n08 ... 9E,28KXL,1

[davidjay]

Prince William, representing Charles at the funeral, was probably dreading getting a phone call from his dad this week, after it was announced it would be the same day as his team Aston Villa playing at Wembley in the FA Cup Semi Final. "Fuck's sake, papa. Can't you get Uncle Eddie to go instead?"

He's the lucky one.

[Abernathy]

No Pope today, then. Back to it tomorrow, lads .

[Youngian]

If I was Catholic would I have to confess that I have about as much interest as Ian Paisley jr or Sammy Wilson as to who the new pope is?

[kreuzberger]

No pope without fire...

[Abernathy]

Here’s a thing : instead of locking 133 blokes in a room for weeks on end until they agree on who gets to be Pope, why don’t they just ask God ?

[Malcolm Armsteen]

Ah, you see, that’s what they are doing. Praying. Waiting for Divine Inspiration.

Not horse trading, making deals, forming alliances and factions - no not at all, heaven forbid.

And eating well.

[davidjay]

Here’s a thing : instead of locking 133 blokes in a room for weeks on end until they agree on who gets to be Pope, why don’t they just ask God ?

Because she'd pick a woman.