Francis is officially the most popular Pope as six million turn out for record-breaking mass in Mani

[7962]

Source: TelegraphUK

Pope's open air mass sets world record for papal gathering, surpassing the 5 million record set by St. John Paul II at the same park in 1995
Six million people turned out to see Pope Francis celebrate mass in the Philippine capital Sunday, making it a world record crowd for a papal gathering.
Pope Francis ended his Asian pilgrimage Sunday with an appeal for the future of the Catholic Church, urging rain-soaked Filipinos to protect their young from sin and vice so they can instead become missionaries of the faith.
He made the appeal personal by embracing a 12-year-old rescued street child who wept in his arms over the plight of children abandoned by their families and forced into prostitution and drug use.

Read more: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/the-pope/11353460/Francis-is-officially-the-most-popular-Pope-as-six-million-turn-out-for-record-breaking-mass-in-Manila.html

[underpants]

1. That's mani mani people

sorry couldn't resist

[Jesus Malverde]

7. LOLOL

Jesus

[belzabubba333]

2. not good enough he's a monster until he meets these demands in 3...2.....1........

[Jesus Malverde]

8. 3, 2, 1, 5

[monmouth4]

3. I'm not a great sleeper so I turned it on this a.m. around 3:00 a.m. It truly was wonderful and

very well organized. I thought communion would be a problem but they had priests all over the place to administer. Very nice and Pope Francis was a very happy and upbeat...

[mountain grammy]

4. He's speaking to the people, no holds barred...

are you watching politicians??? Speak to the people!

[zeemike]

19. Exactly the point I was thinking of.

Populism works.

[J_J_]

24. Romney will lead the way to help the poor with his populism

[zeemike]

26. No he will win the election with it he thinks.

And it could happen if the Democrats run a corporatist that does not speak to the people.

[Bluenorthwest]

5. Pope Francis: Same-sex marriage ‘disfigures God’s plan for creation’

"Pope Francis has attacked same-sex marriage, saying those who support it are attempting “redefine the very institution of marriage”.

Speaking at a mass in Manila, Pope Francis made the comments, despite having recently appeared to be softening his stance on the issue of gay or lesbian couples marrying.

He said: “The family is threatened by growing efforts on the part of some to redefine the very institution of marriage. These realities are increasingly under attack from powerful forces which threaten to disfigure God’s plan for creation."
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2015/01/16/pope-francis-same-sex-marriage-disfigures-gods-plan-for-creation/#at_pco=smlwn-1.0&at_si=54ba022f55ef2b36&at_ab=per-2&at_pos=0&at_tot=1

I picked a decidedly LGBT link to the story to balance the right wing nature of the Telegraph.

And remember, it is religion that is under attack. Poor, poor believers, with those nasty gay atheists holding massive rallies where we denigrate them....oh wait, THEY hold the rallies and denigrate US? Well that's different.
Hypocrisy is a Sacrament.

[Jesus Malverde]

6. He is certainly a breath of fresh air...

In an otherwise stale atmosphere of the status quo.

[Arugula Latte]

31. Do you still say that after reading post #5 above yours?

[MrMickeysMom]

36. He is more than that...

I'm not a practicing christian, certainly not catholic, but grew up with this religion.

He IS what we need today. See this article: http://www.democraticunderground.com/1016111707

[Fred Sanders]

9. You may not agree with all things Pope and all things Obama, but you better have their backs....

because the fascists are waiting in the wings.

If only they could somehow control the Media, Congress, the Courts AND the WH and the omnipotent military machine that comes with it...how do you think that would go?

3 out of 4 ain't bad, but fascism requires it all.

[Bluenorthwest]

10. Francis is an anti gay bigot who opposes all forms of birth control and says women are not equal.

I do not 'have his back' and I consider him to be something of a fascist. I'm sure you are perfectly comfortable with his denigration of LGBT people, the insulting language, the intention offense, even though you spent days here claiming that anyone who feels insulted has a right to respond. You shouted hate speech at liberal cartoons, now you demand we support a man who speaks hate against me.
It's not the religions that are the problem. It's the hypocrisy.

[ucrdem]

11. "a man who speaks hate against me"

[Bluenorthwest]

12. Pope Francis: Same-sex marriage ‘disfigures God’s plan for creation’

"Pope Francis has attacked same-sex marriage, saying those who support it are attempting “redefine the very institution of marriage”.

Speaking at a mass in Manila, Pope Francis made the comments, despite having recently appeared to be softening his stance on the issue of gay or lesbian couples marrying.

He said: “The family is threatened by growing efforts on the part of some to redefine the very institution of marriage. These realities are increasingly under attack from powerful forces which threaten to disfigure God’s plan for creation.”
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2015/01/16/pope-francis-same-sex-marriage-disfigures-gods-plan-for-creation/#at_pco=smlwn-1.0&at_si=54ba022f55ef2b36&at_ab=per-2&at_pos=0&at_tot=1

And it is 'cute' that you think I must agree with the Advocate because I'm gay. Can I assume you agree with Pat Robertson because you are Christian? Would that be fair, or really shitty?

It's not the faith that sucks, it's the hypocrisy.

[ucrdem]

13. Nobody's asking you to convert.

Trust me on this one.

[Bluenorthwest]

15. Answering questions and points made with snark is a sign of the very disrespect Francis promotes.

It's rude and dismissive.

[ucrdem]

17. Just stating the obvious. nt

[Bluenorthwest]

18. So was I.

nt

[7962]

37. A LOT of folks here roll all christians in with the Robertson/Falwell, etc, pack

Neither the left or the right have a corner on the hypocrisy market!

[Humanist_Activist]

47. I'm sorry, did this Pope, on this same trip, speak out about same-sex marriage...

as a disfigurement on God's plan?

He is just like Robertson/Falwell on certain issues.

[7962]

49. I dont know if he did or not. It doesnt make every catholic of christian the same as him.

A lot of people here are quick to say that terrorists are not representative of all of Islam, so the same must be said of the pope.

[Humanist_Activist]

51. No one, I repeat, NO ONE on this board says that the Pope is representative of Christians...

where the fuck did you pull that from?

But the Pope is a homophobic, misogynist.

[Bluenorthwest]

62. Then go talk to them about it. That poster was being bigoted. 'You are gay, the Advocate is your

magazine'. I did not equate anyone to Robertson. So why don't you answer the question I asked that poster? Is it right to assume that a person shares opinion with others in their 'group' as the poster did to me? Yes or no? I say no.

[7962]

64. Oh, I certainly agree with YOU. But we do see comments to the contrary from others;

especially when it comes to republicans or gun owners. "ALL republicans are racists" "homophobes", the list is long. I dont agree with it at all, and i think it cheapens the site by being so closed minded, but a lot of folks here have no problem with it. When I differ, I get accused of everything short of murder!!
And I dont get it.

[Bluenorthwest]

14. I note your sudden lack of courage of conviction.

A bit of truth and Francis fans fall silent.

[ucrdem]

16. Beat ya by a minute.

Gotta be quick in these parts.

[zeemike]

25. Well a friend of Francis is a friend of mine

If they believe the positive message he is speaking...and I am not silent.
But many will be because they just don't want to fight...and that is what you are offering them.

[NYC Liberal]

22. Go read the comments from their readers. Many were quite disgusted by that.

Francis says "Who am I to judge?" because he believes gays have a disorder so we can't help ourselves. And, by the way, "seeks the Lord with good will" includes not having sex or having any kind of intimate relationship -- and certainly not getting married.

This is NOT an issue of "agree to disagree" or "You can like him and just disagree with some things he believes." Francis has said horrific things about us.

Sure, maybe he's got the right idea about some economic issues. But there are plenty of people who are right on economic issues but who aren't also bigots. Let's support THEM.

[AZ Progressive]

27. I wonder if the Catholic establishment is pressuring him to say these things

[onehandle]

23. There are those who want nothing less than the destruction of religion.

They don't understand the meaning of 'progress.'

[Humanist_Activist]

29. I didn't know propping up a homophobic misogynist was progress. n/t

[former9thward]

39. Would you like to see Catholics purged from the Democratic Party?

[Humanist_Activist]

41. How does that relate to what I said? Most American Catholics are NOT homophobic...

misogynists.

[former9thward]

42. Glad you speak for "most" Catholics.

I don't know what "most" Catholics think about those things. But in my experience most support the Pope.

[Humanist_Activist]

46. I said American catholics, and its not me saying it...

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-partisan/wp/2014/02/11/catholics-still-lead-way-on-gay-marriage/

[former9thward]

48. Don't change the subject.

Are you saying "most" American Catholics do not support the Pope? American Catholics in general may support gay marriage but they also support the Pope who you have labeled homophobic and misogynist. Should people who are supporting a misogynist and homophobic leader be purged from the Democratic Party?

[Humanist_Activist]

52. I have a simple question, is opposing equal rights of LGBT people homophobic?

Yes or no?

In addition, is homophobia as bad as racism?

Yes or no?

Also, and I'll note, many American Catholics like this Pope because they think he's progressive in all the issues they are progressive in, which seems to be an excellent example of poor media coverage.

[former9thward]

53. Since you won't answer my question,

I won't answer yours.

[Humanist_Activist]

55. Fine, I'll answer, if it is because they think he is as progressive as they are on social and...

economic issues, I have no problem with them. But if they support the Pope in social issues, then they should be booted from the party.

Now will you answer?

[former9thward]

56. Well if you boot Democrats from the party that support the Pope

Democrats will never win another national election.

As far as your first question, homophobic means fear of gays. Opposing equal rights for gays is a legal matter and it may or may not have anything to do with a fear of gays. Second question: No, homophobia does not equal racism. Racism means superiority over another race. homophobia means fear of gays. Two different things. But both are civil rights issues.

[Humanist_Activist]

57. What. The. Fuck. Seriously, you went the whole "Homophobia is only fear of gays" argument?

Which is, by the way, the argument OF homophobes, similar to the arguments of racists who say they just advocate for separation of races, not inherent superiority.

Here, let me illuminate it for you:

https://www.google.com/search?q=homophobia&oq=homophobia&aqs=chrome..69i57j69i59j69i61.2449j0j7&sourceid=chrome&es_sm=93&ie=UTF-8

Click that, look at the first thing listed, oh, and by the way, this is also the colloquial definition, go to any pro-LGBT website that comments on homophobes and they aren't talking about people who just fear gay people.

Oh, and the clincher is this: "No homophobia doesn't equal racism." Yeah, that's it, conversation is fucking impossible, I cannot talk to someone who feels LGBT people are second class citizens.

[former9thward]

58. Take your strawmen elsewhere

[Humanist_Activist]

59. Excuse me, you already have minimized bigotry against LGBT people as much as is possible...

without being booted from this discussion board, how are you NOT a homophobic bigot?

[former9thward]

60. You are nothing but a name caller

and someone who falsely tries to attribute words when they were never said. You are not worthy of discussion.

[Humanist_Activist]

61. I'm sorry, I call them like I see them. You are the one who mislabels homophobia...

to minimize the real damage it does to LGBT people, its obvious you are NOT LGBT friendly, you should perhaps find a board more suitable to your inclinations.

[Humanist_Activist]

30. Why the fuck should we have the Pope's back when he stabs our friends and family in the back? n/t

[J_J_]

20. pretty easy to see why

[J_J_]

21. Why do Republicans keep bashing him and his speaking out on income inequality?

It turns out that income inequality is now the Republicans number one issue, they will be the ones to fight for the poor, so they will stop bashing him?

[Iggo]

28. Gosh, that's swell!

[Arugula Latte]

32. I'm disgusted that so-called progressives here support an anti-gay homophobe.

[beam me up scottie]

38. Sickening, isn't it?

But the "I like this pope!" brigade want us to ignore their bigot's hate speech.

Republicans who spout the same vile rhetoric get raked over the coals here but this guy gets a pass.

[Orsino]

66. Well, there's actually supporting a homophobe...

...and then there's welcoming a homophobe's becoming marginally less homophobic. I have no problem with anyone calling him the Best Pope Evar, as long as we acknowledge that he's still a pope.

[Arugula Latte]

67. Yeah, that's a pretty low bar.

"Best case of measels ever!"

[jmowreader]

34. "Mani"?

So THAT explains all those Filipino nail techs!

[Brigid]

35. Watching the end of the repeat on EWTN.

I thoroughly enjoyed it. And more importantly, so did the people there.

[Bluenorthwest]

63. It was anti choice, it was denigrating and insulting to LGBT families.

Sickening.

[skepticscott]

40. Gee...children abandoned by their families

and forced into prostitution and drug use? Couldn't be because their families had children they didn't want and couldn't support, now could it? Couldn't be because the Catholic Church has rabidly opposed any form of artificial contraception, now could it? Couldn't becasue they've convinced their flock that they'll burn in hell if they go against church teachings on birth control, now could it? Couldn't be because their church told them "God will provide", and their misbegotten "god" didn't, now could it?

What a hollow piece of work this pope is.

[blkmusclmachine]

43. Nazi popes, child molesters, money laundering, lies, violence and bloodshed...

Praise Jesus!

[billhicks76]

44. Conservatives Unpopular

They have always been in the minority and that's why they use their money to control the airwaves and pretend they have lots of support. They are whores.

[GeorgeGist]

45. Does he get a prize?

[Bradical79]

50. Defenitely the best Pope

Though it's an extremely low bar. Still holds a couple disgusting views, but I only expect so much from the leader of religious sect with over 1000 years of hatred, violence and oppression in their highest office. And you can't expect homosexuals and those who believe they should be true equals morally and legally to not be very critical of him when he says the things he does.

[LiberalElite]

54. The Phillipines is more than 90% Catholic nt

[Corey_Baker08]

65. Pope Francis Is The Best Pope In My 25 Years On This Earth...

& to be clear, I'm not even Catholic...