Pope Francis

Pope Francis has died, aged 88. He had a good innings, and the thing I liked about him was he lived in a modest sized apartment in the Vatican. Reportedly, he also cooked for himself. The next step is the choice of a new Pope, through the process of a convocation of the Cardinals. I wonder who will emerge from the pack?

Someone on the TV said that when the Pope died, they'd hit his forehead with a hammer three times to confirm he's dead. Imagine sleeping soundly, and then whack - ouch. However, this time it was just the doctor signing off and issuing a death certificate.

Pope Gets History Wrong

Oh dear, place this in the 'not again, give me a break' department, the current Pope has repeated the myth that Adolf Hitler came to power by being popularly elected by the German people.

Here's the Pope...http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/01/22/pope-francis-warns-against-rise-populism-europe/

"And all of Germany votes for Hitler. Hitler didn't steal power, he was elected by the people, and then he destroyed his own people. This is the danger.”

The only problem with this view is it is wrong. Hitler seized power and his Nazi party never held a majority. His party never had more than 38% of the popular vote, and that support was falling when Hindenburg appointed him Chancellor. From that position, the Nazis took over through the passage of the Enabling Act, with SA intimidating and encircling the building.

Once granted powers under the Enabling Act, Hitler took control, eventually becoming a complete dictator. He was never popularly elected, that is a myth, oft repeated and now heard in the highest circles.