I am not catholic and, I must admit, I sometimes struggle to understand just what the big deal is about the Catholic Church. Much of their doctrines and legalistic systems baffle my imagination. However, there is always something that fascinated me and that was the election of a new Pope. I think it's pretty cool how each newly elected Pope takes a new name. One day you're Tom and the next day you're Benedict.
My favorite name changing Pope is Pope Saint Hilarius. How cool is that name? I bet he was a partier or at least a prankster. He was Pope from 461 to 468.
And I think he made the Bishops and Cardinals under him take cool names too. There was probably Bishop Funnyasshit and Cardinal Laughmyassoff. Every mass most likely started off with a joke about Jews and Protestants in Rome.
Now there were some other Popes who changed their names to Innocent... What in the hell were they trying to hide if they made everyone call them Innocent?
Here's how the conversation went a long time ago..."What do you think about the new Pope?"..."Oh, he's Innocent"..."Yes, I know, but Mary Margaret's son doesn't want to be an altar boy anymore".
So, the current Pope chose the name Benedict XVI. Maybe he should have looked back over the Pope Name List and chosen the name Innocent. He could use it right about now.
Be Well.
Bill
