what do you like about the pope?

[John S]

As a Catholic.. I may be biased.

I DO like that he stands very strong against Abortion, Euthanasia and other social injustice issues.
He has addressed the U.N. on several occassions.

I like that he is rumored to be a BIG fan of cellphones and uses text messaging a lot to stay in touch with people.
He launched a YouTube channel and has a Facebook page as well.

He just recently offered up a Prayer for the Youth of this world.. that they will use the Social Media (Facebook and Twitter) for the GOOD of the world, to fight social issues. I think that is very progressive of him.


But I also understand that in westernized cultures.. many of which are pre-dominantly Protestant or have Protestant histories (AKA the U.S.) that he is not as well received nor understood.

I also understand that some of his photos do not paint him in a good light.. making his eyes look deep set and sometimes with an almost arrogant or mischievous smirk on his face. -- This turns off a lot of people, who tend to judge people superficially on looks. He is no Super model.. that's for sure.

I unfortunately, understand the jokes that he looks a bit like Emperor Palpatine from Star Wars. -- I'm sad to say.


But looks aside... he is a very Educated and Skilled Theologian. Fluent in like 5 languages I think and has at least 1 PhD, if not more. He use to be a Professor and was a skilled Lawyer when it came to Canon Law (Vatican Law)

He is a conservative and is trying to bring the Church back to the middle, after many Parishes went a bit extreme with the changes ushered in by Vatican II.

While Pope John Paul the 2nd, his predecessor was very lenient.. more of a teddy bear. Pope Benedict, is more of the opposite.. a harsh outside with a loving interior.