back to article Pope tempted by Python! Signs off on coding scheme for kids

The Pope has given his blessing to a free online learning portal aimed at encouraging children to take up software development, while he administers the spiritual kind. The so-called "Code with Pope" initiative is an online software training tool designed to help kids between 11-15 learn the basics of Python. The 60-hour …

  1. nautica Silver badge
    Happy

    How infallible is "apparently infallible"?

    "...His predecessor, Benedict XVI, started an apparently infallible @pontifex Twitter account..."

    That dogma of the Church regarding papal infallibility applies only to matters of faith and morals, and to doctrines held by the entire Church; and most definitely does not apply to personal opinions held by one man.

    So, Roman Catholics do not have to be concerned if the Pope were to say, "Pepsi Cola is the only soda to drink!", or, "One cannot be a member of the Church if he is a follower of [here insert the name of your favorite--or not--political figure]".

    1. Philo T Farnsworth Silver badge

      Re: How infallible is "apparently infallible"?

      To amplify the above, papal infallibilty has to be directly invoked, so even if the pope is talking about faith and morals, it isn't necessarily an official dictum of the church backed by infallibilty. The pope must be speaking "Ex cathedra" or "from the chair." Contrary to popular belief, it's actually something which is invoked relatively rarely.

      The BBC's "In Our Time" podcast has a rather enjoyable discussion of papal infallibility if like listening to a trio of academics nattering on for 45 minutes or so.

      1. Roj Blake Silver badge

        Re: How infallible is "apparently infallible"?

        In Our Time is famous for combining the fascinating guest list of one of Melvyn Bragg's dinner parties with the mind-numbing tedium of one of Melvyn Bragg's dinner parties.

    2. spireite Silver badge
      Mushroom

      Re: How infallible is "apparently infallible"?

      Infallible?

      Surely you meant gullible....

    3. Anonymous Coward
      Anonymous Coward

      Re: How infallible is "apparently infallible"?

      Nobody cares about the Poop's "infallibility". Religions are all just plain wrong.

      1. teknopaul

        Re: How infallible is "apparently infallible"?

        This. Computer science requires you to think for yourself and be right, you can't hand wave your way to working code. Catholics involving themselves in programming seems like hipocrisy.

        These guys don't believe in dinosaurs. Thet should be never be trusted with tech. And you should keep them away your kids.

  2. Blue Pumpkin
    Devil

    Let's hope so

    The last time someone was tempted by a snake it also involved apples and didn't turn out too well ..... (allegedly, I mean it could have been fake news)

    1. Fruit and Nutcase Silver badge

      Re: Let's hope so

      May be Ada can take the place of Eve

    2. katrinab Silver badge
      Angel

      Re: Let's hope so

      Yes, surely they should be teaching Holy C?

      1. Dan 55 Silver badge
    3. Fruit and Nutcase Silver badge
      Joke

      Re: Let's hope so

      also involved apples and didn't turn out too well

      Apple - still tempting the weak in droves

    4. This post has been deleted by its author

  3. b0llchit Silver badge
    Trollface

    Coding with Biblical proportions

    Applying:

    • Pray it'll work
    • Divine algorithms
    • Sanctuary computing
    • Holy numbers
    • Devilish sequences
    • Heavenly clouds
    • Burning calculation
    • Bug free Faith
    • Virgin multiplication
    • Crusade of indent
    • Dogmatic language
    • ...

    1. Fruit and Nutcase Silver badge

      Re: Coding with Biblical proportions

      PHBs - Would that be the Bishops?

      1. Simian Surprise

        Re: Coding with Biblical proportions

        Pointy-hatted, yes.

      2. b0llchit Silver badge

        Re: Coding with Biblical proportions

        Don't forget the Brotherly Operators of Faith- and Helldesk (BOFH)

    2. Aladdin Sane

      Re: Coding with Biblical proportions

      If in doubt, douse your computer with holy water.

  4. Howard Sway Silver badge

    a Polish AI ad biz owner

    I thought the church taught people to avoid scenarios involving a python and promises of the free gift of knowledge?

    And an "AI ad biz" sounds very much like the work of the devil.

    1. zuckzuckgo
      Trollface

      Re: a Polish AI ad biz owner

      > an "AI ad biz" sounds very much like the work of the devil

      Not if is done in the name of the church. Sort of like the Spanish Inquisition.

      1. T. F. M. Reader

        Re: a Polish AI ad biz owner

        Not if is done in the name of the church. Sort of like the Spanish Inquisition.

        I didn't expect that!

        1. Grogan Silver badge

          Re: a Polish AI ad biz owner

          Nobody does :-)

  5. Andy Non Silver badge
    Coat

    When the next pope is chosen

    will your computer emit coloured smoke?

  6. Gene Cash Silver badge
    Flame

    I just want to know the sanctified number of spaces to indent

    Shalt thou indent to three, no more, no less?

    Four shalt thou not indent, neither indent thou two, excepting that thou then proceed to three. Five is right out!

  7. mpi
    Joke

    Why Python...

    ...when Holy-C exists?

    1. Dan 55 Silver badge

      Re: Why Python...

      It actually does.

  8. Benegesserict Cumbersomberbatch Silver badge

    Nobody

    expects the Spanish Inquisition!

  9. Anonymous Coward
    Anonymous Coward

    One assumes the Pope does not know about the raft of Monty Python jokes in the documentation?

    1. nautica Silver badge

      methinks you perhaps forget of whom you speak.

      "One assumes the Pope does not know about the raft of Monty Python jokes in the documentation?"

      We're talking about Pope Francis here. One would be very surprised if he not only knows of the jokes in the documentation, but knows all of the jokes in the series and also watches a M-P clip or two before reading his breviary, and vespers.

      1. Fruit and Nutcase Silver badge

        Re: methinks you perhaps forget of whom you speak.

        He probably has a box set of DVDs already

      2. Dr. G. Freeman

        Re: methinks you perhaps forget of whom you speak.

        His Holiness strikes me as more of a Goons fan.

  10. Boris the Cockroach Silver badge
    Angel

    I looked into

    learning python via the pope's approved way.... it had a few side effects I did not expect

    Holding mass is not a sure way of getting your program to run.

    Neither is kicking bishops.

    Guidance is best sort from other programmers not class 3 relics

    And final symptons occur when you are faced with a difficult problem

    DRINK!

    ARSE!

    FEK!

    GOBSHITE!

    THAT! .... would be a library matter

    1. This post has been deleted by its author

  11. Fruit and Nutcase Silver badge
    Coat

    Resurrection

    Turning if off and back on again

  12. frankyunderwood123

    The Catholic Clergy have always been keen on snakes...

    Sometimes even the trouser variety.

  13. david 12 Silver badge

    Why no link?

    Editorial decision? Lack of information on the press release? Accidental omission? Unpaid advertising? Unverified link?

    I give you "www dot CodeWithPope dot com", but not the semantically correct link in case there is an actual reason.

  14. spireite Silver badge

    It is somewhat unfortunate that the church has been demonstrating their Pythons to church kids for years.

  15. Anonymous Coward
    Anonymous Coward

    I’m not sure the Catholic Church and young children is a good mix

    Then add computers…that’s a hard no.

    1. VicMortimer Silver badge
      Flame

      Re: I’m not sure the Catholic Church and young children is a good mix

      All religions should be kept away from small children.

  16. Anonymous Coward
    Anonymous Coward

    Pope....Python.....Faith....

    .....and pray it will work!!!

    I always get my programs blessed and sprinkled with holy water.......it's worked well.....so far!!

  17. DrBobK

    Sixty hours to learn just the *basics* of python!

    1. Aladdin Sane

      At least it's not 40 days and 40 nights.

  18. Ken G Silver badge
    Devil

    VBA with Aleister Crowley next

    I always thought software came from the other place.

  19. Paddy

    Catholicism's late!

    import this

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