Midnight Mass at St. Peter's

Christ has only promised to be where two or three (or more, of course) are gathered in His Name, so just starting your own church and being isolated from everybody else, whatever they believe and however they live, is not an option if you really want to live as a Christian. One can start their own local church, but any genuinely scriptural local church is a part of Christ's universal church. I don't know which city in Romania you live in, but a number of them have genuinely Christian churches. Not every error disqualifies a church from being a genuine Christian church, but Scripture has pointed to the Church of Rome specifically (and many Eastern Orthodox churches are as bad; but Eastern Orthodoxy doesn't keep as iron a grip on its churches as Rome does, so more may be in the grace of God than with the Church of Rome; but not many, and some can be even worse, like one in Sibiu. If a church doesn't hold Scripture and only Scripture to be the authority, or does but obviously and fatally twists it - like, for instance, the Jehovah's Witnesses or the Oneness Cults, then you are right not to be with them).

Well, you are obviously no fan of The Catholic Church or The Pope or Papacy. What religion are you, if any? Why are you so down on The Pope? Or is it The Catholic Church itself. There have been bad Popes and good Popes. The Church has been corrupt and evil at times but so has every other religion. Maybe you are someone who is disenchanted with organized religion.

Oh boy ! I think i will start my own church.Since we can be saved by grace alone trough faith alone and according to the scripture alone it can`t be that hard.I think everyone can start his own church

Well, I thought that he is or was a nice looking man. He is no kid being 84. I thought that he looked so much healthier and livelier last year. He seemed to need more help this year. I thought the same as you: that if he were ill, we probably would have read about it. I listen to news and read the news. I keep up with current events. I did not hear or read any writers or reporters saying anything about The Pope looking ill or frail, as it is often put. It must have just been my own perception.

J.P spoiled me. Not only was he the most pro Jewish Pope but He was beautiful. So I it isn't fair for me to compare Benny to J.P.I hope Ben is well.

Thanks for the best response. What a surprise!

I went and did a search on The Pope. Apparently, he does appear to be worn down. I read an article written a couple of months back. And the article says that it looks like Pope Benedict has lost his steam. He does not appear to be ill. He is just very tired and worn down. The job has taken its toll. I guess that if you can not handle the job duties, you can step down or retire. It's a big job.

The Pope did not appear to be ill. He just looks very tired and worn out like the job is too much for him. I think that this Pope was elected partly because of his age. I think that The College of Cardinals wanted a Pope who was not going to be around too long. Benedict is really a transition Pope between John Paul II and whoever will follow Benedict. John Paul II was so loved by the people that it was felt that no Pope could really replace him. The College of Cardinals wanted a Pope who would be a transition between the last Pope and whoever would follow the present Pope. Somewhere I have read this but I can not recall where. However I read it very soon after this Pope was elected Pope.