Am I missing something because I cannot understand why people come out in their hundreds of thousands to see an elected official from possibly the richest area in the world.

Because he's more than just an "elected official", although you'd have to be a Catholic to really understand that.

Because he's more than just an "elected official", although you'd have to be a Catholic to really understand that.

Tell me more.

Because the human race are f*cking weird.

It's an age old question.

Does the Pope sh1t in the woods?

Because he's more than just an "elected official", although you'd have to be a Catholic to really understand that.

Tell me more.

Because Christ chose one person - and one alone - (Simon-Peter) to continue His message and be the visible head of his Church on Earth: he gave Simon-Peter (later just called Peter) the keys to the kingdom of heaven: Peter was the first Pope. And when Peter died (allegedly crucified as well) he passed on the baton to Linus ... and 264 popes later you have Pope Francis. So basically, to Catholics, Pope Francis is Christ's sole representative on Earth. A little bit more than just an "elected official"

Because he's more than just an "elected official", although you'd have to be a Catholic to really understand that.

Tell me more.

Because Christ chose one person - and one alone - (Simon-Peter) to continue His message and be the visible head of his Church on Earth: he gave Simon-Peter (later just called Peter) the keys to the kingdom of heaven: Peter was the first Pope. And when Peter died (allegedly crucified as well) he passed on the baton to Linus ... and 264 popes later you have Pope Francis. So basically, to Catholics, Pope Francis is Christ's sole representative on Earth. A little bit more than just an "elected official"

Each to their own but to me he is just another human being. It saddens me to see all the poverty in the world and for there to be a religious organisation which has so much wealth. I am sorry but to some outsiders it is just another brainwashing con.

Because he's more than just an "elected official", although you'd have to be a Catholic to really understand that.

Tell me more.

Because Christ chose one person - and one alone - (Simon-Peter) to continue His message and be the visible head of his Church on Earth: he gave Simon-Peter (later just called Peter) the keys to the kingdom of heaven: Peter was the first Pope. And when Peter died (allegedly crucified as well) he passed on the baton to Linus ... and 264 popes later you have Pope Francis. So basically, to Catholics, Pope Francis is Christ's sole representative on Earth. A little bit more than just an "elected official"

Each to their own but to me he is just another human being. It saddens me to see all the poverty in the world and for there to be a religious organisation which has so much wealth. I am sorry but to some outsiders it is just another brainwashing con.

It's a valid point and I had that sentiment very much in mind when I visited the Vatican museum several years ago. But... you have to say - grudgingly perhaps - that the Vatican art collection is simply amazing, and if it were to be sold off to raise money most of it would more than likely disappear into private collections, never to be seen again.

I'm not saying this as a justification for the Pope, or Catholicism in general, I'm just saying...

Am I missing something because I cannot understand why people come out in their hundreds of thousands to see an elected official from possibly the richest area in the world.

Blimey, next you'll be telling us you don't want the queen!

Am I missing something because I cannot understand why people come out in their hundreds of thousands to see an elected official from possibly the richest area in the world.

Blimey, next you'll be telling us you don't want the queen!

Not elected, no power. Not worshipped

The Catholic Church is the largest charitable organisation in the world - everyday the Catholic Church feeds, clothes, shelters, treats and educate more people than any other organisation. Every organisation has a leader and the Pope is the leader of the Catholic Church.

In Africa alone the Catholic Church runs:

1,137 hospitals
5,375 dispensaries
184 old peoples homes
1,285 orphanages
67,848 maternal schools
93,315 primary schools
42,234 secondary schools
2 million assisted high school students and 3 million assisted university places
This is as well as over 5,000 other institutions and counselling centres

So this is where contributions and donations, from its members, along with money from investments are focused. Anyone can go into the Vatican and look at the accounts for themselves.

As Pope Francis recently said - the church would not exist without charity.

As Quinny mentioned, the Vatican Museum is fantastic - it was valued at $30 billion - divide this amongst say 3 billion poor people would only give them $10 each - only 5 days subsistence.

The Catholic Church is the largest charitable organisation in the world - everyday the Catholic Church feeds, clothes, shelters, treats and educate more people than any other organisation. Every organisation has a leader and the Pope is the leader of the Catholic Church.

In Africa alone the Catholic Church runs:

1,137 hospitals
5,375 dispensaries
184 old peoples homes
1,285 orphanages
67,848 maternal schools
93,315 primary schools
42,234 secondary schools
2 million assisted high school students and 3 million assisted university places
This is as well as over 5,000 other institutions and counselling centres

So this is where contributions and donations, from its members, along with money from investments are focused. Anyone can go into the Vatican and look at the accounts for themselves.

As Pope Francis recently said - the church would not exist without charity.

As Quinny mentioned, the Vatican Museum is fantastic - it was valued at $30 billion - divide this amongst say 3 billion poor people would only give them $10 each - only 5 days subsistence.

That is a lot of people, why are there so many people in these uneducated Catholic countries? Wonder if The Pope knows?

The Catholic Church is the largest charitable organisation in the world - everyday the Catholic Church feeds, clothes, shelters, treats and educate more people than any other organisation. Every organisation has a leader and the Pope is the leader of the Catholic Church.

In Africa alone the Catholic Church runs:

1,137 hospitals
5,375 dispensaries
184 old peoples homes
1,285 orphanages
67,848 maternal schools
93,315 primary schools
42,234 secondary schools
2 million assisted high school students and 3 million assisted university places
This is as well as over 5,000 other institutions and counselling centres

So this is where contributions and donations, from its members, along with money from investments are focused. Anyone can go into the Vatican and look at the accounts for themselves.

As Pope Francis recently said - the church would not exist without charity.

As Quinny mentioned, the Vatican Museum is fantastic - it was valued at $30 billion - divide this amongst say 3 billion poor people would only give them $10 each - only 5 days subsistence.

That is a lot of people, why are there so many people in these uneducated Catholic countries? Wonder if The Pope knows?

They help their own or whomever they could brainwash. How are they helping the current Syrian refugees? Sorry, not catholics so they can bugger off.