Pope wants to be kept alive until the very end

[xaeniac]

You guys that are bashing the pope should rethink your stance and not be so derogatory. He is a human being afterall and a very holy and devout man. He is a person who has done a lot of positive things in the world. Trust me I do not think he is scared of dying either. He has devoted his whole life to Christ and is going to heaven. You act like he is on a respirator and has been kept alive for 30 years. The pope carried out his ministry for many years before becoming ill. Personally, I think he is trying to send out a message about the sanctity of life.

 

[imported_Tango]

I don't see the point... What would you expect him to do? Commit suicide?

 

[conjur]

Originally posted by: Tango
I don't see the point... What would you expect him to do? Commit suicide?

How about die with dignity, unlike Schiavo was allowed to do because of her selfish parents and nosy self-righteous pricks.

 

[rickn]

well, they're breaking out his rosary now, last rights given, he's a goner

 

[conjur]

Originally posted by: rickn
well, they're breaking out his rosary now, last rights given, he's a goner

He served a long time...23 years or so?

 

[phillyTIM]

may God bless his holy soul

 

[imported_Tango]

Originally posted by: conjur

Originally posted by: Tango
I don't see the point... What would you expect him to do? Commit suicide?

How about die with dignity, unlike Schiavo was allowed to do because of her selfish parents and nosy self-righteous pricks.

I fail to understand how needing a cannule inserted in the nose means lack of dignity.

 

[imported_Tango]

Originally posted by: conjur

Originally posted by: rickn
well, they're breaking out his rosary now, last rights given, he's a goner

He served a long time...23 years or so?

26 years

 

[conjur]

Originally posted by: Tango

Originally posted by: conjur

Originally posted by: Tango
I don't see the point... What would you expect him to do? Commit suicide?

How about die with dignity, unlike Schiavo was allowed to do because of her selfish parents and nosy self-righteous pricks.

I fail to understand how needing a cannule inserted in the nose means lack of dignity.

Because then, if his health continues to fail, he'll need a tube like Schiavo had and he will be a non-functioning human being. A report I heard said the Pope was nearing not being able to swallow on his own, which would necessitate other means.

Remember those protesters trying to break into the hospice to give Schiavo water? They'd have killed her if they'd gotten in.


edit: Thanks for the correct length of his term. I should have known since he was shot when I was a freshman in high school (80/81)

 

[imported_Tango]

Originally posted by: conjur

Originally posted by: Tango

Originally posted by: conjur

Originally posted by: Tango
I don't see the point... What would you expect him to do? Commit suicide?

How about die with dignity, unlike Schiavo was allowed to do because of her selfish parents and nosy self-righteous pricks.

I fail to understand how needing a cannule inserted in the nose means lack of dignity.

Because then, if his health continues to fail, he'll need a tube like Schiavo had and he will be a non-functioning human being. A report I heard said the Pope was nearing not being able to swallow on his own, which would necessitate other means.

Remember those protesters trying to break into the hospice to give Schiavo water? They'd have killed her if they'd gotten in.


edit: Thanks for the correct length of his term. I should have known since he was shot when I was a freshman in high school (80/81)

Totally different situation.. the pope is alert. He cannot swallow due to problems coming from the Parkinson. He is not in a coma/inconscious/vegetative state. He just has phisical problems. Schiavo was brain dead.

 

[conjur]

Originally posted by: Tango

Originally posted by: conjur

Originally posted by: Tango

Originally posted by: conjur

Originally posted by: Tango
I don't see the point... What would you expect him to do? Commit suicide?

How about die with dignity, unlike Schiavo was allowed to do because of her selfish parents and nosy self-righteous pricks.

I fail to understand how needing a cannule inserted in the nose means lack of dignity.

Because then, if his health continues to fail, he'll need a tube like Schiavo had and he will be a non-functioning human being. A report I heard said the Pope was nearing not being able to swallow on his own, which would necessitate other means.

Remember those protesters trying to break into the hospice to give Schiavo water? They'd have killed her if they'd gotten in.


edit: Thanks for the correct length of his term. I should have known since he was shot when I was a freshman in high school (80/81)

Totally different situation.. the pope is alert. He cannot swallow due to problems coming from Alzhaimer. He is not in a coma/inconscious/vegetative state. He just has phisical problems. Schiavo was brain dead.

Understood. But, why prolong the inevitable? Why live beyond what nature intended for your body? When's the last time he was really able to perform as a Pope normally does? It's been a long time.

 

[imported_Tango]

Originally posted by: conjur

Originally posted by: Tango

Originally posted by: conjur

Originally posted by: Tango

Originally posted by: conjur

Originally posted by: Tango
I don't see the point... What would you expect him to do? Commit suicide?

How about die with dignity, unlike Schiavo was allowed to do because of her selfish parents and nosy self-righteous pricks.

I fail to understand how needing a cannule inserted in the nose means lack of dignity.

Because then, if his health continues to fail, he'll need a tube like Schiavo had and he will be a non-functioning human being. A report I heard said the Pope was nearing not being able to swallow on his own, which would necessitate other means.

Remember those protesters trying to break into the hospice to give Schiavo water? They'd have killed her if they'd gotten in.


edit: Thanks for the correct length of his term. I should have known since he was shot when I was a freshman in high school (80/81)

Totally different situation.. the pope is alert. He cannot swallow due to problems coming from Alzhaimer. He is not in a coma/inconscious/vegetative state. He just has phisical problems. Schiavo was brain dead.

Understood. But, why prolong the inevitable? Why live beyond what nature intended for your body? When's the last time he was really able to perform as a Pope normally does? It's been a long time.

Well.. death is inevitable for all of us... the "why prolong the inevitable" policy could be quite dangerous. I don't think it's been a long time since he was able to perform his job. Still now he is said capable of writing. He will eventually die, like anybody else, but I think the medical team will do anything to postpone this moment. They would do even for you and me, not just because he is the pope.
In fact they would probably avoid extreme measures that could lead to a stable coma situation because of political reasons, while they would pursue those measures if taking care of a "normal" patient.

 

[dmcowen674]

Originally posted by: rickn
well, they're breaking out his rosary now, last rights given, he's a goner

Should sticky this thread so we don't have a million Pope threads.

 

[Kadarin]

Hook him up into a Darth Vader style cuirass, and have him talk through something that makes his voice sound like James Earl Jones... He could go on for years, and even train apprentices...

 

[PatboyX]

now, i think i brought this up on anandtech before, but i was under the impression that the pope every so often..."died in the night."
particularly when making unpopular choices (especially back in the super-powerful days) and when he found himself in a very sad state of health.
is there any truth to this or did i just fabricate intrigue to make the popes job seem much more exciting?
i seem to remember reading about this and then hearing about it.
i think it was art history...but my beloved art history professor was a fast-talking canadian with a penchant for subtle and soft asides.


i should point out that im not attempting to belittle the pope. it occurs to me that quite a few of our brothers here on the board are being less than tactful about their lack of papal respect.
obviously, i do not wish any harm on the man and i hope that his passing is peaceful.

 

[Kadarin]

Originally posted by: mhillary
Is the pope afraid to die?

He doesn't have enough faith in his religion.

 

[nageov3t]

Originally posted by: Astaroth33
Hook him up into a Darth Vader style cuirass, and have him talk through something that makes his voice sound like James Earl Jones... He could go on for years, and even train apprentices...

darth papal? that'd be pretty sweet

 

[Vic]

I believe that the Pope is just trying to send a message regarding the sanctity of life. And, in that, I commend him. I do not agree with him, however, as I feel that the unnatural extending of life is unholy, as I believe that death is a part of life. It is his choice though, and I respect that.
In this whole "Death with Dignity" dispute, no one is trying to kill anyone, but just ensure that everyone has the choice to die naturally if they wish to (how anyone could construe the choice for a natural death as suicide, I cannot understand). In the same regard, people should be allowed to choose to have the life medically extended if they wish to.
I do not see in this that the Pope is afraid of death so much as that he is unafraid of suffering.
He has been a wise and holy man who has dedicated his life to the service of God. IMO perhaps the best pope in 1000 years. Hopefully, the Catholic church chooses their next pope as wisely as they did when they chose John Paul II.

 

[PatboyX]

Originally posted by: Astaroth33

Originally posted by: mhillary
Is the pope afraid to die?

He doesn't have enough faith in his religion.

who was that comic that had the bit about the pope in the bullet proof car...
whats the worst that could happen? he could get shot, die and go to heaven!?

 

[Vic]

Originally posted by: PatboyX

Originally posted by: Astaroth33

Originally posted by: mhillary
Is the pope afraid to die?

He doesn't have enough faith in his religion.

who was that comic that had the bit about the pope in the bullet proof car...
whats the worst that could happen? he could get shot, die and go to heaven!?

I don't get the point of these immature insults. Are you suggesting that he should invite death? Or tempt God? Or both?

The purpose of having faith in God in Christianity is not simply to secure a place in Heaven, but to make the earth a better place, preferably through self-improvement and example, as Christ demonstrated.

 

[CycloWizard]

Originally posted by: conjur
Understood. But, why prolong the inevitable? Why live beyond what nature intended for your body? When's the last time he was really able to perform as a Pope normally does? It's been a long time.

Why are you concerned? What business is it of yours? What do you know of the pope's actions, anyway? Read any of his recent works?

He's considered, even by many atheists, to be the leading philosopher today with respect to end-of-life issues, but you're going to make this decision for him? You're going to tell him when it's time for him to die - can I do the same for you? This doesn't apply just to him, but to anyone. Why should anyone but the patient have any say?

 

[Yo Ma Ma]

Originally posted by: TuxDave
IF... he was dying, that's a sign that it's his time to go and that's what God wants. Now wouldn't we be interfering by trying to play God and use our gizmos to try to keep him alive?

He is Catholic, not Jehova's Witness or whatever group it is that doesn't allow medical intervention.

 

[Kadarin]

Originally posted by: Vic

Originally posted by: PatboyX

Originally posted by: Astaroth33

Originally posted by: mhillary
Is the pope afraid to die?

He doesn't have enough faith in his religion.

who was that comic that had the bit about the pope in the bullet proof car...
whats the worst that could happen? he could get shot, die and go to heaven!?

I don't get the point of these immature insults. Are you suggesting that he should invite death? Or tempt God? Or both?

The purpose of having faith in God in Christianity is not simply to secure a place in Heaven, but to make the earth a better place, preferably through self-improvement and example, as Christ demonstrated.

The question is: Is the pope afraid to die? If so... Why? Why go through extreme measures to be kept alive?

There is nothing wrong with adding a little levity to the context surrounding that question, particularly when one (myself) does not believe in nor really respect his religion.

 

[chrisms]

I don't think the Pope is afraid to die. It just seems wrong to me to keep him alive this way. The Vatican has the best medical care available for him and to see how long modern medicine can keep a dying man alive is disturbing.

I am a Catholic and would much rather have seen him die of a sudden heart attack a couple years ago rather than see this. A friend of mine saw him, and said he was basically a man who could barely put his hand up sitting on a golden thrown sorrounded by aides.

 

[aidanjm]

Originally posted by: CycloWizard
He's considered, even by many atheists, to be the leading philosopher today with respect to end-of-life issues

who exactly considers him a leading philosopher on "end of life issues"? No one with half a brain, surely. Also, I've never encountered an atheist with any time for that old coot.