Pope Francis

[noahvale]

Thank you, noahvale, for providing the text of Pope Francis' letter to Dr. Scalfari.  I had seen bits and pieces of it in the media but had not seen it in its entirety.  It deserves a second and third reading as it is quite profound and even nuanced (at least to a non-Catholic like myself).  I have not yet had the opportunity to follow the other links you provided, though.  I read Spanish and French reasonably well, so perhaps I can read Dr. Scalfari's two La Reppublica articles you referenced.

As for Dr. Kaserman's book, I'm about halfway through and am now reading about the various modes of donor compensation such as donor clubs and other innovations.  What I have found to be of particular interest is the authors' explanation of the genesis of altruistic donation and how that concept has persisted as a result.  While I admittedly haven't spent a lot of time digesting how things are done in other societies, I did find it interesting to note how many Asian cultures have a successful living donor program because of certain cultural taboos against cadaveric donation.  I am impressed by how methodically the authors have laid out their argument and am eager to see how they eventually come to their conclusion. 

If anyone is interested in reading this book (The Global Organ Shortage: Economic Causes, Human Consequences) and has a Nook, I can use the "Lend Me" function and would be happy to lend it out.

You're welcome.  Yes, David and his co-authors were extremely methodical in their presentation.  This should be required reading by all who work within the transplantation/organ donor awareness community.  It would expose them to cogent, well-thought insights on how our current system is broken and how initiating new ideas can have a positive effect on increasing cadaveric and living donations.  Unfortunately, like the vast majority within the medical industrial complex, they too wish to protect their domains.

[Bill Peckham]

http://www.buzzfeed.com/ellievhall/boy-wanders-onto-stage-to-hang-out-with-pope-francis


I like that the kid at one point tries to help

[Rerun]

OMG Hemodoc would you just "friend" MM on your facebook so she can read what your Catholic friends have to say!

 

Thought the little boy jumping up on stage was cute.  Glad the Pope embraced him.

I'm not Catholic so I really don't see holding a "man" in such esteem especially with the abuse that has been revealed over the years.

[Hemodoc]

OMG Hemodoc would you just "friend" MM on your facebook so she can read what your Catholic friends have to say!

 

Thought the little boy jumping up on stage was cute.  Glad the Pope embraced him.

I'm not Catholic so I really don't see holding a "man" in such esteem especially with the abuse that has been revealed over the years.

Rerun, would that be legal???

[CebuShan]

As a Christian but not a Catholic, I'd like to say that I admire Pope Francis. Anyone who takes the name of the Patron Saint of Animals and Ecology is alright by me!
One of my all time favorite movies was "Brother Sun and Sister Moon" which is about the life of Saint Francis. What a rebel he was in his time!

[UkrainianTracksuit]

My mother is Ukr.  Roman Catholic so we have this weird mash up of RC/Russian Orthodoxy in our home.  The churches can't really get along but we make it work at home.     Anyways, I had to be acquainted with both churches and minus my "philosophy years", I'm *gasp* a churchgoer with my family.  I liked Papa Francisco from the moment he became Pope.  He has charisma and a warm friendly glow the church had been lacking.  Honestly, I don't care what sect someone may be a member, this man has a message that all of us can follow.  That is to be humble and help our neighbours.  Forget the materialism too.  In reality, we don't need a figurehead to tell us that but if any of us can follow his example, we can definitely become more "at peace". 

[Bill Peckham]

This is pretty much the best wedding photograph ever.


http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/headlines/2013/11/see-pope-francis-clown-around-with-newlywed-couple/

[frankswife]

I am Catholic, and feel Pope Francis is a breath of fresh air. I have been saddened and disenchanted somewhat with the goings on in the Church as of late, and I truly believe that unfortunately the Church has much to answer for before the throne of God. That being said, I also strongly believe that the Pope is my Holy Father on earth, and I am very glad to have this one. I liked him from the first. He seems so...human!