Pope question

[proud2BlibKansan]

Do they whack the pope on the head with a mallet to be sure he is dead? Heard a rumor.

[mcscajun]

1. Once upon a long time ago, they did.

Haven't in some time, though. A lot of the Corporate Media can't let go of this little detail; they think it lends 'color' to the story.

It was a little silver hammer that the Camerlengo (Chamberlain) used to lightly tap the Pope's forehead three times while calling him by his baptismal name.

[proud2BlibKansan]

2. Here is some info from Snopes

http://www.snopes.com/religion/hammer.asp

It says they discontinued doing this in 1965.

[MindPilot]

4. 1965? Nothing can match the scientific advancement

of the Catholic church!

:banghead:

[ClintonTyree]

6. They ARE.......

somewhat chained to ritual and superstition, aren't they?

[kedrys]

5. Maxwell's Silver Hammer! n/t

[Warren Stupidity]

3. Actually yes they do.

http://www.religioustolerance.org/electpope4.htm

"A detachment of the Swiss Guards leads the cardinal camerlengo to the room where the body of the pope lies. He identifies the pope and confirms his death. One of the prelates lifts the veil covering the face of the pope. The cardinal calls the pontiff by his first name, three times. In previous years, he would tap the body on the forehead with a silver hammer in an attempt to produce a response if the pope still lived. Receiving no reply, he declares "The Pope has truly died." He falls to his knees and recites Psalm 130 "Out of the depths." He removes the popes ring."

Fascinating stuff.

[proud2BlibKansan]

7. After they remove the ring

they smash it.

[Warren Stupidity]

8. after re-reading

it seems the head tapping stopped in 1965 (with Pope John.)

You have to expect that an institution that goes back to the start of the common era has some quaint rituals.