Comments on: How to Greet the Pope

on 7/10/2009 No one would argue the pope is Jesus. It was Jesus, however, that was baptized by a mere man: John the baptist. Catholic or not, many religions see forgiveness of sin as step towards Eternal life. Catholicism, is after all the most historically traceable religion. It started when Jesus names Peter the first pope. The earliest record of other Christian religions start with Martin Luther, who by the way, was not God the Father. Has Catholicism had hurdles, of course. It was corrupt, just as every organized religion has been. Catholicism is a religion that is very well organized, so that no matter where you are in the world, the readings and prayers in mass are the same readings and prayers all over the world. Catholics may not have everything right, but at least they are a cohesive church. Unlike other churches, where they talk about whatever the pastor wants to discuss.

on 7/10/2009 The Pope is the most holy father, because in the Catholic faith, he is picked by God, just as Peter was picked by Jesus. He is then, the holiest of men, at least for the Catholic church. It is not worth arguing what you would and would not do if you were to meet him, because the only people that would go to the effort to meet him, Catholic or not, would have the decency to respect him. Opinions on beliefs are wonderful, I have expressed mine. Opinions about how to please the Lord are what free will is all about.

on 7/10/2009 No one would argue the pope is Jesus. It was Jesus, however, that was baptized by a mere man: John the baptist. Catholic or not, many religions see forgiveness of sin as step towards Eternal life. Catholicism, is after all the most traceable religion. It started when Jesus names Peter the first pope. The earliest record of other Christian religions start with Martin Luther, who by the way, was not God the Father. Has Catholicism had hurdles, of course. It was corrupt, just as every organized religion has been. Catholicism is a religion that is very well organized, so that no matter where you are in the world, the readings and prayers in mass are the same readings and prayers all over the world. Catholics may not have everything right, but at least they are a cohesive church. Unlike other churches, where they talk about whatever the pastor wants to discuss. The Pope is the most holy ...

on 1/10/2009 Oh come on folks... it seems ridiculous that I seem to need to point out what follows. His Holiness is the unquestioned spiritual leader of about a billion, but more importantly, and to the point, he is also a head of State; the Vatican being an sovereign nation. Would anyone, pagan, Buddhist, or Christian really balk at the notion of addressing a head of state by their given title?

Ambassadors to the courts of rulers in China would historically have to approach the on their knees. I can't imagine they enjoyed the process or agreed with the implicit statements their actions made but they did it because that's the way the world works. To those who can't understand, grow up.

on 12/27/2008 I'm also a Pagan however given the chance to meet the Pope I would jump on it. The man is an embodiment of the divine for billions, and should be respected for that, the fact none oh us here are divine who are we to judge beliefs and traditions of others. Lastly Medea I remind you that this isn't the same pope and the fact that enlightenment is the end goal of many pagan paths, don't let your prejudges prevent you from that goal, in this life or the next.

on 12/2/2008 For it is written in the Holy Bible that every knee shall bow and every tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. Not the pope. Jesus Christ died for our sins, not the pope.
Therefore, the pope has no power to forgive sin. He is mere man - not God.

on 11/4/2008 I WILL NOT bow to an earthly man. He is not The most holy father, nor Father, or anything else. He is just the next Catholic guy near death who was selected by other men to be called the pope. Only ONE person died for His church and His name is Christ. Catholicism is pagan, a denomination, and an abomination. You will NOT find it in the Bible. I wish I could meet this man called the "pope" so I could have the chance to NOT bow, NOT kiss him, and show reverence to the only Most Holy, God the Father, God the Son, and God and the Holy Ghost!

on 9/13/2008 I feel very sorry for mammamedea. She does not understand the blessings which she has missed in her life. Being associated with a religious organization brings more benefits than just "being saved." Being part of a medical community I have wittnessed and have had physicians tell me they have wittnessed many things that cannot be explained be normal logic. I wonder if this woman really understand that pagen means worshiping multiple Gods or if she means athiest? I wonder if her pagen Gods can perform the same miracles as our "one God?" I think I'll stick with something more tried and true like honoring the Pope. There's a reason that the old pagen religions in Rome and Greece died away, they just didn't work. I"ve been to the Vatican but didn't get to meet the Pope. I'd give anything for the opportunity. I'm not sure the women do wear veils anymore as stated in one comment but I'm s

on 9/13/2008 First, I am Pagan. Being such, the office of Pope has left a rather nasty taste in most Pagans' mouths. I neither will recognize him as 'Holy' nor see his office as 'Holy'. Both are not worth any special respect nor reverence because we do not believe that this man is God incarnate. However, he is an older gentleman and I would give that due respect but not to the extent warranted here. Good thing I'm never going to meet the Pope,huh?

on 6/30/2006 When greeting the Supreme Pontiff, one should kneel on the left knee while kissing the Pope's ring. Repeat reverential gesture's when leaving his presence. Women should wear veils when meeting the Pope.

on 4/3/2006 If someone were visiting the President of the United States from another country, say Germany or Japan, the American people would definitely expect that person to act accordingly, dress accordingly, shake hands or whatever it is you do when you visit our President. The Pope is just another guy, that's true, but when a respectable person visits somewhere else they treat whoever greets them with the dignity and respect appropriate to that culture. If you were visiting the Chief of the Hookahs tribe in East Zimbabwe you wouldn't just walk up to him and shake his hand, I hope, it just may get chopped off if you insulted him and it is their custom to do so. This is an extreme example, but the meaning is the same. When someone comes to your house, do you have expectations about how you are to be treated?

on 1/9/2008 As bowing and other things recommended here are signs of submission to authority, I would say that they are not necessarily appropriate behavior for non-Catholics. As someone pointed out with regard to Americans and the Queen, those who do not acknowledge the superiority of the monarchy are not (cannot be) required to bow. I would suggest that the same applies to the Pope - respect, yes, he is a head of state among other things, but submission, no.
So all this "regardless of your religious affiliation" stuff should be taken cum granum salis.

on 1/9/2008 If you are not Catholic, then the Pope is not the mouthpiece of God. And if you are not Christian, chances are you don't view him as deserving any more or less respect than anyone else. Religious affiliation has everything to do with how you address the Pope.