Sparky joins the search for the new pope.

Godspeed John Glenn.

Isn’t that what you are supposed to say in these situations?  Probably not, and the new pope isn’t likely to be a chipmunk, but Sparky and I are doing our best in this tragic time.

The next few weeks, as a new pope is chosen, will be difficult.  Imagine how tedious it’s going to be as podcasters, journalists and social media influencers all present themselves as experts on the arcane process of choosing a new pope. 

I know two people with a vast knowledge of papal history.  It’s humbling.  Both of them mention terms like the “Council of Calcedon“, like it’s common knowledge, and I’m wondering if we are talking about dinosaurs or robots.

Coincidentally, my two most prolific commenters are closely related to those deep thinkers.  It’s no wonder that JED and Marc are here looking at pictures of my handsome beagle, rather than discussing current events with their brainiac family member.

It’s bad form to express an opinion on the pope if you aren’t in the club.  A billion people are looking to their leader to assist them in securing eternal salvation, and you have an opinion for purely partisan reasons.  It just seems disrespectful of their faith.

It would be like me, as a teacher, telling a mom, which of her kids I liked the best. 

I make an exception for Pope John Paul II because he was so influential in causing the collapse of the Soviet Union.  That was a time in history when the universe provided the people we needed.  President Ronald Reagan, Pope John Paul II, and labor organizer, Lech Walesa put pressure on the Soviet Union from three different directions, and the wall came down.

Also, there was something about Pope John Paul II that made him a better person than everyone else, even though he didn’t know it.  The Dalai Lama has the same thing.

Because it’s important to my devout friends and family, I hope they get a good pope.

The world would be a better place if we had a healthy Catholic Church.  Perhaps the next pope can do something about that.