What's the big deal with the pope

That's where the difference lies. Catholics believe that the 'Saints' are those who are in Heaven but Protestants believe 'Saints' to be any Christian. Acts 9 has two references to saints who are clearly living on Earth. Romans 1:7 is a greeting to people who are called to be saints. Romans 8:27 talks about the Spirit intercedes for the saints. The vast majority of the time that the word 'saints' is used in the Bible, it is speaking to Earthbound, living people.

The best argument in that page is:

In reply to:
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Not to distract from the Catholic bashing, but back to the original topic...

A few years back I went to Rome and took part in the Papal Audience in St. Peters Square. The atmosphere was pretty crazy with tens of thousands of people there to see Pope John Paul II. It was much like a sporting event or rock concert. Different groups of pilgrims chanting and singing in their language waiting for the Pope to come out. Vive le Papa over and over by young and old alike.

At that stage, Pope John Paul II was very sick and could barely stand, but he delivered blessings in more than dozen languages for the crowds that had descended upon the Vatican to see and hear him. Even if you are not Catholic it is a unique experience to see a historical figure, especially one so revered (and reviled) by so many people.

As a funny (or sad) aside, there was a group of French teenage girls in front of us. At the beginning they were singing and chanting with great fervor, and when the Pope came out and passed within a few feet of us, they were screaming, and a few even wept. Not twenty minutes later as the Pope was was giving his blessings, most of the little shits were busy gabbing and/or texting on their cell phones.
 
I graduated from UT a few years ago, grew up Catholic and after doing my own thing for a couple of years I decided to enter Catholic seminary to become a priest.

I think most of these posts have been very fair and I thank you for that. A lot of times these issues can draw the worst from people, on both sides. A couple weeks before I entered the seminary I was at the Tavern with some friends and had to listen to some idiot talk about how the only reason anyone becomes a priest is to molest little kids. That type of comment would incite riots or mass hysteria if directed at many other faiths.

These are very complex issues and there are no easy answers. I was in Rome last fall, got to stay at the Vatican and see the Pope and it was a great experience. The thing about it is that he is a man who has chosen to live his life as an example of what we can be.

Catholics teach that all people are designed for a vocation to eternal life. The Pope is our shepherd and guide. He speaks truth in a world that is misguided and hurting. Yes we think that he speaks truth. That is one thing I like about Benedict the most. He refuses to accept the moral and spiritual relativism of so many. We shouldn't be sorry that we fully believe what we say. We don't think that everyone else is going to hell, but we have a right to think you may be missing the point of some things.

There is no such things as two things being opposed to each other being in total communion with the truth. Any freshman philosophy major can tell you that. And any person in the world can tell you that we need some hope. That is what the Pope brings to many of those with faith. As a Catholic I hope that all people in the US will be a little more open to what the spirit can do in the next five days.
 
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Pope says "we are ashamed" addressing the many convicted pedophiles working in the Catholic church.

I find it interesting that all the news outlets are electing to describe it as a "sex abuse scandal" rather than use the word pedophile.

Is that out of respect for the Pope and the Church?
 
The pope is the head of state of Vatican City. He is the head of the catholic faith, which accounts for most Christians on the planet. If you have a hard time understanding that he could be considered a big deal, you may not be the sharpest knife in the drawer. Certainly many non-Christians and many protestants will be less interested than many catholics, but remember that Benedict represents more than three times as many people as live in the US and is the leader of an institution that predates pretty much every other government on the planet. That's (part of) the big deal. As for people's being selective about which teachings they follow, that goes back to human nature: we tend to break rules, even when we recognize some value in them.

I will refrain from entering the fray here regarding the "correctness" of catholic beliefs. It is far beyond the scope of a side discussion on a thread about a papal visit. For the record, though, I believe what it sounds like I do.
 
I am catholic and i really dont give a ****.

What exactly is the Popes purpose.
It is safe to say that he is just a face to say humanitarian things from time to time and hope people listen and follow.
 
I wasn't clear, my apologies. I was mainly speaking towards those who think that Catholics believe that every opinion that the pope has is infallible. This is what I was saying is "false". In reality, papal infallibility has been utilized at most 7 times throughout the history of the Catholic Church. It is only applicable when the pope is speaking ex cathedra (from the chair) about a doctrine concerning faith and morals.
 
I would venture that an overwhelming majority of Catholics are "cafeteria Catholics", picking and choosing which of the Church's opinions to follow. So what makes a "true" Catholic? Must one follow all major Church doctrines and teachings?

The pope is entitled to his opinion, and we are entitled to ours....

Another interesting observation: while the Catholic church is becoming "Mexicanized" here in parts of the United States, some in Mexico are leaving the Catholic church for evangelical Protestant churches.
 
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