Rant #1,519: Pope Scope

I swore to myself that I would not write this column, because even though I meant to not offend anyone by writing it, I know that some people will be offended anyway.

But then I figured, someone has to write this column, and why not me?

The Pope has come to this country, and can anybody doubt that it has been a triumph in every way, shape and form?

He has set New York, in particular, on fire, and the passion that his followers have generated towards him goes beyond love and affection.

Reverence might be the word, but even that word doesn't speak of the joy he has brought millions of people.

What is my own personal perspective of the Pope, and his coming to America?

I am kind of on the outside looking in, because I am Jewish, and whatever he says and does really has no impact on me, to a point.

And please, do not take any offense to this. I have to choose my words wisely, and I probably do not represent the overall Jewish viewpoint on the Pope in any way, shape or form ... although I know many Jews are probably thinking the same way I do, but won't admit it to themselves or to others, for fear of a backlash.

You know, never talk politics or religion, get it?

We should all give the utmost respect to the Pope as we can possibly give. Again, he is not only the spiritual leader of Catholics around the world, but he is a head of state, of Vatican City, which many people forget is a country in and of itself.

So when he meets with our President, speaks to our Congress, and talks before the United Nations, we absolutely must give him the respect he deserves.

Beyond that, what do I think of all of this?

Well, whatever he says and does really doesn't impact me that much, and quite frankly, I think he is simply something of a figurehead, because we know Catholics, in particular in this country, make decisions for themselves, and don't need anyone telling them what to do.

This Pope, who is supposed to be the most understanding and modern of all the Popes, really isn't that much different from those that preceded him in the modern age.

However we interpret his words, he remains against gays, he remains against same-sex marriages, he is anti-abortion ... the list goes on and on.

Yes, he has opened the door a bit for some people, but not that much.

But I guess people will see what the want to see, and a door slightly ajar is better than a door fully closed.

On other things, if he really wanted to be revolutionary, his tack on Israel would be much different than it actually is.

Much like his predecessors, he refuses to officially acknowledge the existence of Israel as a sovereign state.

He is fully embedded with the Palestinians and the terrorist organization governing them, Hamas, and fully recognizes their right to exist as their own entity.

As we welcome him to America, Hamas has three goals: wiping Israel off the face of the earth, removing all Jews from their very existence, and defeating the U.S. in some type of holy war that they believe they are fighting with the West.

The Pope evidently supports this.

And we are welcoming him with open arms to this country?

And, on an almost minor note, he comes to this country during the holiest period of the year for Jews, during the High Holy Day period encompassing Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, and is actually in the U.S. during Yom Kippur, our holiest and most solemn day.

I could say that he is an anti-Semite, and I guess I just did.

And yes, I could say more, but I am stopping here.

Again, please, my Catholic brothers and sisters, I mean no offense.

This is my opinion.

I respect him as the leader of a country, but some of his views, well, I don't accept.

I am sure he is a good person, but that doesn't automatically make him correct in many of his assertions.

Personally, I hope his visit here is a happy one, and I hope he takes back many good memories of our country.

So have a good trip home to the Pope, and while his trip did pretty much nothing for me, personally, I know that for millions of others, it was something they will never, ever forget.