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Ted's avatar

Just wow... great column, Bob

A few things came to mind today, in no particular order

1) "JD Vance is wrong." Doesn't mince words. So incredibly refreshing.

2) I too have been told we'll never see an American pope in my lifetime. I was also told the Cubs would never win a world series in my lifetime. Wrong on both counts, so this portends that in the next decade, cold fusion and male pattern baldness will be solved, by the same experiment, at the University of Chicago.

3) We now have a pope named Bob. Let that sink in.

4) Jesus weeps every time someone puts ketchup on a hot dog. Just put mustard on your franks as God intended. Also, whole wheat buns send you straight to purgatory.

5) When I came here to post, I had to enter a Substack code. The first numbers were 666 (not kidding). But I checked the Book of Revelation and there's no mention of a Pope Bob, so I think we're OK.

6) God bless America and Hallelujah

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Bob Dunning's avatar

Ted -

I just found this in The New York Times.

His name really is Bob, not Robert.

"Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin of Newark, N.J., recalled casting his ballot — carrying it to the front of the Sistine Chapel, holding it high and solemnly submitting it before God as Michelangelo’s “Last Judgment” stared down.

He had known Cardinal Prevost for about 30 years, from back home in the United States and in their global ministries. Now they were behind the closed doors of one of the world’s most secret rooms, with 131 fellow cardinals, including eight from their home country.

He looked for his friend around the tables.

“I took a look at Bob,” Cardinal Tobin said, “and he had his head in his hands.”

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Bob Dunning's avatar

Robert Jerome Dunning - I'm 667, unless at Ellis Island they added an extra "n" to our last name when our ancestors got off the boat.

"We now have a pope named Bob. Let that sink in."

Love it. Makes me giggle uncontrollably.

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David Quiros's avatar

Great choice! (I enjoyed his gentle smack down of JD Vance!) I had a realization that for the first time in my life, the Pope is younger than me!! 😁

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Bob Dunning's avatar

Hard to believe. But you have aged well, for sure.

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erin dunning's avatar

had to google the new pope’s age

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Bob Dunning's avatar

69

I've heard he's a tennis player.

I'm going to challenge him.

Bob vs. Bob

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erin dunning's avatar

pope bobby and he’s good at math

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Sherri Lee Smith's avatar

Me too, David.

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Bob Dunning's avatar

Me three

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Phil Coleman's avatar

Bob:

One of the reported characteristics shown by our new Pope is that he has a sense of humor. When it came to choosing a new name as Pontiff, I was wondering if it would be, "Pope Obama."

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Bob Dunning's avatar

That would certainly have been groundbreaking, Phil, but makes sense since both are from Chicago.

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Mark Honbo's avatar

As Philip DeFranco noted, having a Pope from Chicago means not putting ketchup on a hot dog will now be canonical law

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Bob Dunning's avatar

Spicy mustard and sweet pickle relish with chopped onions

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Mark Honbo's avatar

Yeah, I'm a mustard/relish person although I most often go without sauce

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Robert Jacobs's avatar

I have heard the rumor it is the White Sox have not seen anything official.

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Bob Dunning's avatar

The Vatican is preparing a statement to clarify this.

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Jane Richardson's avatar

It is so good to hear "good news", thanks for your take on it. Surely he will continue to quietly share wise thoughts like, "Jesus does not ask us to rank our love for others"

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Bob Dunning's avatar

Just one sentence that could have won my recent 11-word essay contest.

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Holly's avatar

I hope the pope will quote scripture like Jesus did when he has comments on topics. But my favorite is “Love the Lord your God with all your heart soul and might. And love your neighbor as yourself. This sums up the law and the prophets.” This is all we need to do. Plus. Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved. You and your household.

Have a great Mother’s Day. Speaking of love.

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Holly's avatar

Except. Prophets is spelled incorrectly. Because technology is not religious. It was spelled very secularly. “ profits. “

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Bob Dunning's avatar

You just spelled it phonetically, Holly. We can all profit from your words.

And isn't it strange that "phonetic" is spelled with a "ph" and not an "f"?

The Bible needs a Book of Grammar

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Holly's avatar

God is before his time. He prepared the original Cliffs Notes. 😊. I love your sense of humor. Thank you for the complement. Be well.

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Bob Dunning's avatar

Thanks a million, Holly

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Bob Dunning's avatar

I am sure, Holly, that Pope Leo will quote scripture frequently. What you just quoted is true, beautiful and comforting. Among my favorites passages as well.

Thank you

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Jim Gray's avatar

Bob... Great column. I am glad that the cardinals and God made a wise decision in selecting which particular "Robert" to be the Pope.

Now Villanova isn't only known for alumni who are excellent basketball players. The only college in the country that has a Pope as an alum.

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Bob Dunning's avatar

I suspect this means Villanova is going to absolutely dominate college basketball. I don't know how Sister Jean at Loyola can compete with Pope Leo at Villanova. I'm surprised he wasn't Pope Rollie.

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Robert Jacobs's avatar

So the big question for our Chicago Pope Cubs or White Sox?

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Bob Dunning's avatar

I've heard his older brother say it's the White Sox.

Minnie Minoso over Ernie Banks.

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Robert Jacobs's avatar

The Pope couldn't help the Cubs with the Giants. Why call him LeoXIV? Pope Bobby has a nice ring to it.

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Bob Dunning's avatar

Indeed.

But the starting pitchers had already been announced just before he became pope, so he couldn't control the outcome.

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Chris Carey-Flores's avatar

Excellent, Bob. My Hubby, a devout Roman Catholic attending an Anglican church with me (an Episcopaian), is delighted with the new Pope. We are all praying for Pope Leo XIV, and that his message of love, unity, and care for those who are marginalized, will be embraced by people of all faiths.

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Bob Dunning's avatar

If you two ever come by St. James, I'll share the pew and kneeler with you and even toss five bucks in the collection plate in your name.

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Sara W's avatar

🙏🏼🤍

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Bob Dunning's avatar

Thanks so much, Sara.

Prayers all around

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Sara W's avatar

“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it" John 1:5

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Bob Dunning's avatar

I absolutely love that, Sara.

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Sara W's avatar

Me too. We have a living Hope! So thankful!!

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Don Peri's avatar

Wonderful column, Bob (the other Robert).

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Bob Dunning's avatar

And then, Don, I learn that his birthday and mine are just two days apart. We're practically twins. Maybe I can get an audience with him if he comes home for a Cubs game.

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Don Peri's avatar

Let us pray.

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Julian Irias's avatar

Let's see... Since Rerum novarum (1891) we've had follow-ups after 40, 70, and 100 years. Leo XIV will likely still be pontiff in 2031. Wonder what he'll write to mark the 140th anniversary.

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Bob Dunning's avatar

Will be interesting to see, Julian.

I do like that encyclical. A lot to chew on there.

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John Crowe's avatar

Well done, Bob. It’s worth pointing out that JD is a Catholic convert, particularly in view of his priorities.

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Bob Dunning's avatar

Yes indeed. He's entitled to his beliefs and it's not my business to question another person's faith. However, when he tries to justify a political stance by twisting the words of Jesus, it's time to point out some clear facts.

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Adrienne Austin-Shapiro's avatar

Vance is one “converter” I’d like someone to steal. By the way, my own favorite was Matteo Zuppi, but Prevost seems promising; and Pierbattista Pizzaballa gets to keep his vernacular name…

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Bob Dunning's avatar

Yes, but if our paths ever cross, I'd like to get his blessings. He has apparently spent many years tirelessly working in the Middle East and his an impressive leader. And, of course, I absolutely love that name.

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Dan DeSantis's avatar

My God above in Heaven, Bob. You’re getting better every time!

Keep it up.

Dan DeSantis*

*No relation

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Bob Dunning's avatar

Thanks, Dan

Was an interesting one to write.

I had no idea who they might pick, but I wasn't waiting anxiously by the phone

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