OK, it's hard not to talk about the Pope.

I remember John Paul being elected, and most of my life has had him as Pope. I didn't know his reign was that uncommon until his death.

I think it's really weird to have elected a "transitional" pope, whom you don't expect to serve long. I just don't understand. Isn't continuity and stability what you want in the church? Not that I agree with a lot of the current doctrine, but "transitional" just seems weird, like a fill-in Pope until you get a better one.

The other thing I've been thinking is, "Wow, what must it be like for the brother of the Pope?

"Hi, I'm Georg, and I do such and such and have this family, etc. and have a brother."

"Oh, what's your brother do?"

"He's the spiritual leader of over a billion people, determining matters of faith and scriptural interpertation for one of the main religions in the world."

It's like that comic routine about being Jesus' brother.

I'm sure there's feelings of jealousy on occasion.

I didn't like a lot of what the old Pope said, and I'm sure I wont like a lot of what the new Pope says. But hope he's tolerant, and I wish him success in working for peace in the world.