The funeral for the Pope. Just observations.

Oh and did anyone notice Melania alerting Trump at the Sign of peace, that he was the only mourner ignoring his neighbours and not shaking hands?
He then made a big thing of squeezing Macron's hand very tightly for some time, but Macron's behaviour was impeccable.

It was wonderful to see all the Cardinals gathered together in respect. I didn’t actually notice what others were wearing, just the overall hugeness of the occasion. Whoever organised it did a really good job.

Trump is a heathen ( amongst other things!) using his phone, chewing gum who thinks doing such disrespectful things is acceptable especially at an international funeral. He has no social skills at all

Kate1949

So what if Brigitte wears a wig? Anyone on here have problems with their hair? Alopecia? Like me?

Agreed. No need to be unkind.

She looks lovely, slim, fit, happy.

Smileless and Parsley - exactly my sentiments.
I thought that it was a funeral for a great man and I'm not a Catholic - not a fashion display.
Maybe comments on Conclave isn't appropriate .

Seeing all the Cardinals in their red made me keep thinking of ‘The Thorn Birds’.

I'm glad I saw the film Conclave recently so that I will have an idea of what is going on while choosing the new Pope. I had great respect for Pope Francis and hope the new one will be as compassionate.
One thing that struck me about the funeral is how completely male dominated it was. No women anywhere amongst the Cardinals, Priests etc. A woman did the first reading though, so that's something.

There are no women priests in the Roman Catholic Church

This Pope has appointed at least 3 nuns into high office henetha

Sister Simona Brambilla - appointed prefect of the Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life. This is the first time (I believe) that a woman has led a Vatican dicastery.

Sister Raffaella Petrini - appointed secretary-general of the office governing Vatican City State.

Sister Nathalie - under-secretary of the Vatican's synod office.
She has been given voting rights in the synod.

There are other women who have been appointed to undersecretary positions within various dicasteries within the Vatican.

I definitely saw a few nuns leave the the square immediately after the bishops and wondered at the time if they were these nuns.

Sorry I'm obviously behind the times!
Here's an article about four nuns:

www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/263641/pope-francis-historic-appointments-4-women-helping-to-lead-the-vatican?hl=en-GB#:~:text=As%20the%20Church%20reflects%20on,look%20at%20four%20religious%20sisters

I sort of knew that Annibach but it struck me really forcibly for the first time while watching the funeral. I wonder if there ever will be?

Thank you Not Spaghetti. I did notice nuns occasionally, and knew because of watching the film Conclave that they are much in evidence in the day to day running of the Vatican. But will they ever be allowed to become priests or cardinals I wonder?
Would Catholics like there to be?

Sorry. henetha , as priests are not allowed to be married , the views of members of the Roman Catholic Church would be of
interest?

Anniebach

Sorry. henetha , as priests are not allowed to be married , the views of members of the Roman Catholic Church would be of
interest?

Women cannot be ordained as Deacons either in the Catholic Church.

However, Deacons can be married. A deacon is the last stage before being ordained as a priest. If a deacon's wife predeceases them, he cannot remarry and must be celibate.

Woman do have many roles in the Catholic church: sacristans, Extra-ordinary Ministers of the Eucharist, Lectors, cantors and catechists, as well as entering the religious life as nuns.

Thank you Marydoll , I didn’t know. Deacons could be married

henetha

Thank you Not Spaghetti. I did notice nuns occasionally, and knew because of watching the film Conclave that they are much in evidence in the day to day running of the Vatican. But will they ever be allowed to become priests or cardinals I wonder?
Would Catholics like there to be?

We're Catholic.

Priesthood is a sacrament, priests are male as was Jesus - it's simple, old fashioned, not similar to many other denominations.

Norah because the apostles were male only ?

Anniebach

Norah because the apostles were male only ?

Yes, Apostles were male. I've no idea what other Churches include as sacrament, we've only seven. Priesthood is a sacrament.

I'm not the OP, but perhaps the Pope was topic, not Catholicism and Priesthood. Apologies for going down the wrong path.

Parsley3

My focus was on the simple coffin and the lovely eulogy. I do hope that the next pope will also be a person of humility.

Oh so do I! There is much wrong within the Catholic (& indeed other denominations) church, but the late Pope was a truly Christian, humane and humble man and will be sorely missed.

I am catholic and I love Johns Gospel Jesus Appears to Mary Magdalene.

She ran to get Simon Peter and The Other disciple when she saw the stone had been removed. The two disciples looked inside saw the strips of linen lying there and as John says they believed but did not fully understand. They returned to their homes.

Mary remained and that’s when Jesus appeared to her.
She was the first to see Him and she spread the Good News to the others.

I’d have no problems with a woman priest but it will not happen in my lifetime!

Kate1949

So what if Brigitte wears a wig? Anyone on here have problems with their hair? Alopecia? Like me?

Not a case at all of “so what?”.
I have absolutely no issue whether she wears one or not. I only pondered on it because I think her very full bodied hair (especially for 72) always looks amazing!

I honest meant no disrespect to anyone who does choose/or have to wear a wig Kate1949.

Marydoll

Oh and did anyone notice Melania alerting Trump at the Sign of peace, that he was the only mourner ignoring his neighbours and not shaking hands?
He then made a big thing of squeezing Macron's hand very tightly for some time, but Macron's behaviour was impeccable.

Trump probably wanted to squeeze his throat …. 😂

Norah

I'm not the OP, but perhaps the Pope was topic, not Catholicism and Priesthood. Apologies for going down the wrong path.

Norah threads take us where they will. 😁
If discussion morphs into something else for a while I think that’s fine! No apology necessary. It’s all interesting.

Anniebach

Thank you Marydoll , I didn’t know. Deacons could be married

All of the Deacons I know in our Diocese were married, before deciding to study for the Diaconate later in life.
We have a married Deacon in our Parish, who carries out a variety of duties.