I spent a great part of the past weekend glued to the set watching coverage of Pope John Paul II. Among the hours of sameness there were some bright spots. I was fascinated to learn something of the younger priests inspired by the Pope, especially those American students in the Vatican seminary. They are far more conservative than one might think, holding to the beliefs and teachings of John Paul rather than the more liberal leanings of many U.S. Catholics.
It will be interesting to see how evangelical they are in the coming years and if they are able to maintain the discipline they seem to have at this point.

It was also interesting to hear and see reports on some of the possible successors to the Pope. Although many of the priests and theologians interviewed warned that you can never really be sure who the Cardinals would choose. Many feel that they would go with some one older, to ensure that the reign would be relatively short, giving the Holy See a chance to see how things settle. John Paul II was such a charismatic individual that it is not likely that next Pope could equal his personal appeal.

Certainly interesting times to be a Catholic, even a lapsed one!