Posted on 09/22/2006 2:02:14 AM PDT by PRePublic
I kinda have the same feeling on the subject. I'm not sure why, but since he was elected, I had a feeling that this pope's reign would be short and end in martyrdom - REAL martytdom - not the kind brought about by strapping an IED to your chest and running through a crowded shopping centre.
I've got to give the cardinal their credit - they made a fearless choice in electing Joseph Ratzinger and it'll be essentially the same group of electors the next time around, with a few new additions picked by Benedict himself.
Should the islamofacist nutjobs be successful in killing the pope, there are plenty of strong and courageous cardinals able to step in and finish the fight. (Some names come to mind, notably Arinze, Bertone, Ruini, Castrillon-Hoyos, Bergolio, Ouelette and Schoenborn)
The catholic church has survived much worse than the death of a pope (as a previous poster pointed out - their first pope was crucified). Can Islam survive the sh!tstorm that would result? There are plenty of devout and sincere Catholics in Africa, Latin America, and even old Europe that wouldn't sit back and take it.
islam is a mental disorder
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.