This expresses a lot of what I’ve been thinking lately. I never said much because either way, it’s difficult to talk about the Pope when you know little about Catholicism. Then again, what does Time know about Catholicism?
SEE WHAT ELSE WE’VE SAID ABOUT THE POPE
Whispers of Satan 
Dear Lux,
Thank you so much for including me in the conversation. Reading the article was very interesting, both because of the content and the authorship. The author, Elizabeth Tenety, identifies as Catholic, yet she presents Pope Francis’ opposition to gay marriage, women in the priesthood, and abortion (to her, a woman’s autonomy over her body), as if such a stance really is a bad thing. I understand that she is saying that the Left sees this opposition as bad, but her phrasing makes it sound like those who don’t approve of gay marriage, abortion, and women in the priesthood, are objectively wrong from some unidentified basis. (As a side note, some say that the push for gay marriage, abortion access, etc. comes from a new objective moral ground: if proponents were true moral relativists [who are you to say who can’t marry who?], they would have no basis to say that gay marriage, abortion etc, is objectively ok. All they could say is, well, some people like gay marriage, abortion, etc. and it might not be objectively ok, but let’s make it an option. Few proponents would say this, though.)
Overall, I feel that the article is pretty fair. I especially like its criticism of those who project their political and economic interest onto Pope Francis. The following quotation, I feel, is rather redeeming:
“Both left and right need to wake up. Francis is, at his heart, a spiritual leader. His mission may have political implications, but he has come to serve God, not to advance the platform of the Democratic Party — and it’s presumptuous to imagine otherwise”
As far as my view on Pope Francis, I appreciate his Christianity, that is, his attempt to emulate Christ in word and action. His humility runs in line with that of Christ as per Phil 2:5-7 “Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave being born in human likeness.” Many of the other pontiffs have embraced this message as well, but Pope Francis has taken some very apparent actions to demonstrate his humility, such as residing in modest living quarters and renouncing luxury.
Here is the kicker for me: Pope Francis is not an unordinary Catholic. There are Catholics like him all across the world, those who seek to be like Jesus, who humble themselves, and who place compassion before condemnation. Moreover, there are humble people like this all across the world who receive little recognition. Did Cardinal Bergoglio receive such praise when in Argentina? Did St. Francis of Assisi earn recognition for renouncing wealth and preaching to the birds when his countrymen wouldn’t listen? Do all the ordinary people, who give that single dollar, that dollar that could go to their daughter’s education, that dollar they need to feed the meter, that dollar that just feels nice in their pockets–do those people get recognition? Not really. Humility is the MOST undervalued virtue in modernity.
As for my knowledge on Pope Francis, I can’t say that I’ve kept up with his writings. I suppose that I have faith that he will do what is right. I have much to learn.
Just a final note: I really do wish that people would realize that Pope Francis’ ideas are what Jesus and, by extension, the Church is all about. He’s not being a revolutionary. He’s just reiterating what the Church has been saying this whole time in a more down-to-earth, palatable tone. So don’t expect him to suddenly overturn doctrine, everybody.
Cum Caritate,
Peace.
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“Just a final note: I really do wish that people would realize that Pope Francis’ ideas are what Jesus and, by extension, the Church is all about. He’s not being a revolutionary. He’s just reiterating what the Church has been saying this whole time in a more down-to-earth, palatable tone. So don’t expect him to suddenly overturn doctrine, everybody.”
That’s the sense I’ve been getting. Just wanted to confirm it. Cheers.
Lux
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