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Health & Fitness

Thoughts on the new Pope

I know this is a little late, but I have been meaning to write about the new Pope for weeks now. The entire election of the new Pope brought about a renewed interest in spirituality for me. (Not that spirituality is ever far from my mind.) But while the Papal conclave was meeting to select the new Pope many of my closest friends and relatives were all glued to the TV awaiting the white smoke. What an exciting time!  

Pope Francis seems a good choice. Down-to-earth. Eschewing all the trappings of an easy and comfortable life. Choosing, instead, to model himself after Saint Francis who himself renounced all his worldly goods to live and preach among the poor.  

 A few more thoughts on Pope Francis. When he was first introduced to the world on the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica, didn't he look the picture of humility? He asked that we all pray for him. God knows he has a tough job ahead of him.

My own thoughts turned to Pope Benedict. I liked him. I still do. I liked the quiet intellectual that he was (and is.) I hope that he is somewhere resting and living the life he wants as he wants. No doubt a very quiet life. I once saw a documentary on Pope Benedict wherein he said that all of the human vices and virtues they have at the Vatican — the struggle for power, the jealousies. But the goodness too. We are all a mixed bag, are we not? Everyone single one of us. I especially liked how before he was elected Pope, he liked to roam the streets of Rome, wearing his beret and enjoying  he fact that no one knew who he was or the powerful position he held.

All of that changed once he became Pope and I dare say he missed the anonimity and the ability to take an unfetterd walk through Rome. Again, I hope he is somewhere resting and reading and playing piano - all the things that he is said to love.  

A few more thoughts have been reverberating through my mind in recent weeks. One is of Philip Lynott, the lead singer of the 70s band Thin Lizzy. I remember how I read in an interview once that he was in a hospital in London and a priest came around and asked if he was Catholic. His reply was spot-on perfect: "I may not be the best example of one, but, yes, I am one."   One very final thought - I have been thinking too of Sinead O'Conner ever since this new Pope was elected. Why? Because she always had such an ethereal voice and I don't think her Catholic roots ever left her either.

She is what I would call Roman Catholic in the vein of James Joyce and Eugene O'Neil. If you are raised a Catholic, I don't think certain aspects of the faith ever entirely leave you. I really don't. Anyhow, Sinead O'Conner has a lovely version of The Prayer of St. Francis (Make Me a Channel of Your Peace.) I have posted it here. I do hope you like it as much as I do.

All the best on this bright and sunny afternoon!
Lea

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lBGcNwx0g0M      

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