Re: ot: 1 min of silence
 

White smoke from the college of cardinals means they have a majority vote. Black smoke means they are still undecided. It is an ancient tradition, which I am not sure if they still perform.

Re: ot: 1 min of silence
 

I was 12 years old when JPII was selected. I remember the white smoke. I'm sure they still do it.

I, being Lutheran, was raised to have a healthy amount of criticism for the Roman Catholic Papacy. But when I read that he had passed away, I was sad. Even sadder when I read the synopsis of his life and how much genuine good he had done in the world. He was a good man, indeed. Speaking from a purely christian-fundamentalist perspective being good isn't what gets you to heaven, but if the man's "good works" were a true reflection of his faith then he's on his way.

Sadly and respectfully,
Turin

Re: ot: 1 min of silence
 

That sounds nice. Good idea.

Re: ot: 1 min of silence
 

Probably not for a long time. Papal succession is determined by high-ranking, old clergy. I believe the requirement is being a cardinal and over the age of 60, someone here probably knows the exact age. Currently, the Church says that only males can be clergy, so we would have to wait for that restriction to be lifted first. Then it would probably take a century or two for a female to rise to cardinal, and thus have the possibility of a vote in selecting a new pope. Although I guess it may be possible for a female to be selected to lead the Church by a bunch of celibate males...

Kind of along that note, I believe it is *possible* to select a lay person to be a pope, but highly unlikely. In that case, to get a lay female pope would need to overcome opposition from those who want a cardinal, AND those who want to keep it males-only.

Anyway, back on-topic, he seems to have led a good and fulfilling life, and that's all that can be asked.

Re: ot: 1 min of silence
 

So what you're saying is that in two hundred years or so the Catholic church might be ready to enter the nineteenth or twentieth century http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

Re: ot: 1 min of silence
 

That's a bit optimistic don't you think? We will probably reach Mars before we get a female pope. Based on: JP II wasn't a big fan of more female priests. He appointed 98% of those who pick his replacement and I have a feeling they'll go with a youngish pope so he'll have a (potentially) long time in the job.

Whatever the next Pope does he'd better take an example from the Church of England on how exactly not to handle the issue and practically split the entire church on a huge number of issues.

Re: ot: 1 min of silence
 

Errm Phil, with Bush's plans we'll be reaching Mars in 30 years or so. I definitely believe we will reach the irony dusty world before the year 2050.

Back OnT,

I am not a religious person AT ALL, but nonetheless I respected him greatly, and I was saddened as well when I heard the news.

Re: ot: 1 min of silence
 

Yeah but getting to Mars is a beast of an engineering project, and when was the last one of those that ever came in on schedule?

That's assuming it doesn't get canned. Let's face it in four years time there's a new Presidente who may decide not to spunk the GDP of several large African countries on going to Mars. So getting to Mars before 2050, could happen, but equally it could get kicked into the long grass by a different administration.

Re: ot: 1 min of silence
 

Before 2050 ?? I would be very surprised. There is plenty of problêms that need lot of money, and funds are lacking for that. Remember that for now mars mission are below 50% success

Re: ot: 1 min of silence
 

Before 2050 is just what I think - or at least hope. Even if the US administration cancels the project, there are still the Europeans, and more recently the Chinese. Another administration might restart the project, there might be an international collaboration (think ISS but then bigger) that would attempt that, etc. etc. etc.

edit: repaired end bold tag