Mandela Laid to Rest

Today a large memorial was held for the late South African president and world icon, Nelson Mandela.

Almost a hundred dignitaries from all over the globe attended along with millions of South Africans and other neighboring Africans.  The day was gloomy with rain and grey skies which seemed to have set the mood for mourning.

The day did not go without any controversy.  First, President Obama was videotaped shaking hands with Cuban Communist leader Raul Castro.  This angered Republicans and others who felt this sent the wrong message to the world and even equated it to shaking hands with Hitler.  If that was not enough, Obama and Prime Minister Cameron posed for a 'selfie' with a cell phone which upset some people who described it as disrespectful and in poor taste.

The body of Mandela was laid to rest in his Village of Qunu.  May he rest in peace.  













Source:

http://news.yahoo.com/mandela-39-39-honorary-granddaughter-39-opens-144337012.html

http://news.yahoo.com/obama-shakes-hands-with-cuba-s-raul-castro-132509889.html

http://worldnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/12/10/21843912-nelson-mandela-memorial-the-world-has-lost-a-beloved-friend-and-mentor?lite

http://news.yahoo.com/obama-cameron-39-selfie-39-mandela-memorial-causes-184218628.html

Papal "Selfie"

Pope Francis is now the first Pope to have a "selfie" or informal self taken photo using a cell phone device.  Twitter and the social network system has been taken by storm with this photo. 

A group of young Italians from the diocese of Rome took the photo with the Pontiff inside St. Peter's.  This is not the first time Pope Francis has broken with protocol and blended with the people, so to speak.  I don't think this is a bad thing.  I probably would do the same.

In the age of "sexting" with congressmen tweeting photos of themselves nude, I think this news of the Pope is a breath of fresh air.  Pope Francis has made it clear that he is not about formality, so he shouldn't be judged for this.  He is with the people - young people.  This sends a strong message to all that we should be with the people.

It is cool that a man in his 70's can cause such a sensation similar to that of  a celebrity for a simple thing such as a "selfie."  Despite claims from atheists that the Church and Pope are archaic and irrelevant; this news shows that the youth still are drawn to the Church and Pope  This Pope knows how to steer the media in the Church's favor and that is good!

@KofC epic #selfie #PopeFrancis pic.twitter.com/CLYduUpxDA
— Fabio M. Ragona (@FabioMRagona) August 29, 2013

Autoscatto papale (col cellulare) #PapaFrancesco pic.twitter.com/nCvuxLdmwD
— Fabio M. Ragona (@FabioMRagona) August 29, 2013

Source:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/religion/the-pope/10277934/Pope-Francis-and-the-first-Papal-selfie.html

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/08/30/pope-selfie-twitter-vatican_n_3844061.html