The Catholic Church has 1.3 Billion followers so yes it has a global impact. And not so long ago when JFK was running for president there was a concern that he would take orders from the Pope and Vatican. Liberals have forgot this fact quickly.

And to say the Pope doesn't set an agenda, make changes or have power within the church and to its followers is just a naive misinformed statement.

see how much real power the pope has. If Francis is serious about cleaning up the curia and the vatican bank, let's hope he gets more than the 30 days they gave John Paul I before he drank that cup of tea.

Why are you so concerned with the Vatican Bank? What's it to you?

Read the paper.

What about it? The Vatican Bank is a private institution. Are you a share holder? They can share as little or as much as they want.

Read the paper. Being involved in blackmail is not a private matter. It is a criminal enterprise.

I agree DT. Since the value of so much of the Vatican Bank's deposits and other assets accrue from tax exemptions in the US, the Bank's integrity is of concern all Americans.

Oh here we go! DT aren't to an attorney? Hasn't the bank been accused and not convicted yet? Examples like the propaganda that's in the paper could be used with EVERY organization why do you always attack the Catholic Church?

http://m.spiegel.de/international/europe/a-889560.html#spRedirectedFrom=www&referrrer=

Just some information

I for instance, never said I like the new pope. I don't even know him to like him. I've not seen him do much yet to form an opinion whether to like him or not. I merely said I like his choice of name. And I certainly don't hate Catholics. I don't care what you want to believe, that's your business, as long as you don't push your agenda and your beliefs down everyone else's throat. And wishing someone do good is a positive attitude. Not sure why you think a lack of belief in a higher being equates to having no morals. If one thing, our morals come from common sense. If things get better, it would be better for all of us.

Historic!

http://news.yahoo.com/pope-francis-tells-benedict-were-brothers-125541394.html

I'm an atheist and I don't hate Christians. I just don't believe in religion, I think everything you do in your life is only on how you do it and there is no supernatural power that can magically help you if you ask it.

I liked the Athiests in The Big Lebowski

The nihilists

Mmmm, it is supposed to be... But actually some goverment issues are doing the worst.

Yeah, forgot to mention, even tough I'm an atheist, I take my mother to the church on sundays. People usually give me weird looks, as I now have a bald shaved head and I usually got my tracksuits pants on and a leather jacket

Did you know Pope Francis used to play football in the streets of Buenos Aires with the Argentine legend, Alfredo Di Stéfano?

They were threatening castration. What, are we splitting hairs here?