Funeral of Pope Francis

[cakeorwine]

Watching it now. I'm not religious - but it is a fascinating watch and a beautiful setting.

Fair enough. I disagree though.

Prefer to shake hands myself but people look alarmed when I proffer my paw now after pandemic times, sadly, so it's now a head nod to all around.

Right? When I was in India the 🙏 felt right. But the handshake feels a bit more meaningful in my Western context.

That’s not so. There’s a man one row back and about four along whose suit looks the same shade to me.

I think I associate it more with some European Catholics than regressive. I’d find it odd on someone English. It would look regressive then.

Dunno about vice versa, but other world leaders attending funerals of sitting popes is very, very standard. Here's who was at the last one.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_dignitaries_at_the_funeral_of_Pope_John_Paul_II

It's a long established norm and there would be questions if they didn't. You're allowed to not like it, but adhering to such protocols is the most sensible option. In the case of the US, US presidents routinely attend, Biden is there so Trump wouldn't want to be one upped, and they could hardly send Vance after last weekend.

Charles saw the Pope alive very recently. Tbh the Pope probably appreciated that more .

I don't mind what they wear, but I don't like the fact that some tend to be more rigid and judgy, particularly to an ordinary doing my best Catholic as myself. The Church is huge (as you can see today) and there's room for all people in it in my view.

Charles has cancer, and we don't know exactly what's going on with his health. An event like this can be quite gruelling.

Our congregation is largely made up of Indians, Africans and Filipinos so it isn’t unusual to see different people doing slightly different things at various parts of the mass anyway. It’s just different to what we used to do. It’s better than that weird touching elbow thing.

I had a rare late night out, so I slept late. I've just tuned into RTE. The current music is beautiful. I'd say Leo is glad he missed the gig.

I don't think that is particularly relevant. Seeing someone before they died doesn't mean you have no need to go to the funeral.

We will just have to disagree. I think it's disrespectful he didn't go, you don't 🤷‍♀️

I think King Charles is still receiving treatment for his cancer. It might mean he has times when he fitter to travel than others due to the timing of his treatments.

Anyway there is so much chatter about William being lazy. Perhaps the palace thought this was what people want.

It’s coming across a bit “ damned if they do, damned if they don’t…”

I can’t see one. But two wrongs don't make a right anyway.

Absolutely... Catholics will know what is being said at that moment intime. I would have liked to have heard the Latin.
Obviously he has been told not to speak over the singing, so he only "translated" part of the Our Father!

It’s a state occasion as well as a religious one as the Pope is also a Head of State.

Did he state he wasn't going because of his health? He's been traveling recently.

Very true. I'm no royalist, but it seems obvious to me that someone who's having regular cancer treatment might not be able to travel at short notice. There could be all kinds of practicalities here that we aren't party to.

At least they didn't send Andrew.

A lot of the women are wearing mantillas.
Does anyone else feel it's a bit disrespectful that William is returning to the UK in time to watch the FA Cup semi-final? I don't expect there'll be the ham butties afterwards but still seems a little odd.

I keep looking at all those people thinking, what if they need a pee, 🤔and hope they have their sunscreen on.

Thinking about Charles if his cancer means he needs frequent loo trips it would be a nightmare.

Exactly, and one who died in office at that.

Oh that’s terrible. Yeah it’s just cultural really and doesn’t matter. I mean it used to be a kiss (like in mediaeval times), and I wouldn’t like that either.

love the litany of saints.

iIt’s one of his responsibilities isn’t it as a patron? And this is pretty short notice. If it can be done without him sneaking out during communion I don’t see a problem.

Also, I wonder whether KC would find it difficult to stand for so long in one spot.