Pope Francis

[BoSoxGal]

Well it seems Francis still has some big plans to push through before he leaves. https://www.cnn.com/2025/03/15/europe/p ... index.html

More roles for women in the Church; he sure does like to rile folks up!

[Big RR]

Not being catholic, it does not really affect me, but I am glad to see it shows a shift (however minor) in the right (well really left) direction. And since we have a huge ass as our president, it is good to see that while some of the biggest asses in history have sat on the vatican throne, this occupant is not so big an ass. But IMHO, ecumenicism is a lot like globalism, a good ideal that could work if we didn't have to deal with people.

[BoSoxGal]

This is a good Guardian piece about the Pope’s legacy. I didn’t know he’d appointed a nun to be the first woman head of Vatican City; human society will not improve until our attitudes towards women in leadership transform and this kind of thing is very important in pushing that envelope because so many humans are still mired in religion. I’m grateful to know it’s such a part of the Pope’s vision for the future of the Catholic Church.

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfr ... ive-legacy

And of course the news today is that Pope Francis is getting sprung from Gemelli back to his apartment at the Vatican. Francis will preach at Easter in this very troubled year. God is good.

[datsunaholic]

Pope Francis (Jorge Mario Bergoglio) Dec 17, 1936-April 21, 2025.

He did make several appearances on Easter, but passed away Monday morning.

[BoSoxGal]

Best Pope in the history of popes, flawed as they are. Most Jesus-like Pope, most loving Pope.

The world is diminished without him in it.

[Big RR]

With apologies to the the King and I-- I don't think any man has ever been as good a pope as he could have been. But this one tried.

And with apologies to Dos Equis, I don't have a lot of love for the papacy--or any royal or authoritarian systems for that matter; but if we are to have a pope, I would prefer one like Francis.

[eddieq]

As noted before, I'm not Roman Catholic, but I admired Pope Francis and his dedication to basically trying to get it right and serving the underserved. He will be missed for sure. I hope they choose a replacement that will work with and for his people and the people they serve and not just an appeaser.

[Burning Petard]

I woke up this morning with the news radio at 5am and the announcement of his death. Now four hours later it is still at least 75% of the radio news air time. I must reveal that my own faith tradition has alot of history filled with anti-popery. Not so lately. We began focusing on the fundamentals about 50 years ago, but not as a 'fundamental' Christian denomination. We said 'Jesus mission is our mission,' as described in Luke 4:18ff. We said we have limited resources. If it is a good thing, that is not enough to do it because we can't do everything. We will focus on that stuff described in that particular story. I myself really like the restatement by Sir Terry back in 2010 in "I Shall Wear Midnight" : Cut the toenails as them who can't take off their own boots. Wipe them who can't twist.

So. Pope Francis was Pope for just over 22 years. Every story about him this morning mentions near the beginning that he was the first Pope from South America, first non-European Pope for two thousand years. OK. but in all those 22 years he never went back to South America. That seems to tell me something, but I don't know what. Perhaps more important, he seemed to me to regard those items of Luke 4:18 with high priority.

snailgate

[Big RR]

but in all those 22 years he never went back to South America

Actually, I believe he did travel to several times in the mid-teens, but not to Argentina (not sure why--a statement as to the government?). I imagine the countries he visited can be searched, but I do recall Brazil as one.

[Big RR]

As for Luke 4:18, IMHO one way the RC church could help the destitute is by shifting its position on birth control, which continues to keep many in perpetual poverty. But maybe this is for another thread.

[datsunaholic]

So. Pope Francis was Pope for just over 22 years.

snailgate

He became Pope in 2013. So just over 12 years. Not 22. John Paul II was still Pope until April 2, 2005. Benedict XVI (Ratzinger) became pope April 19th, 2005 and served until 2013.

Francis visited Brazil in 2013. Pretty sure Brazil is in South America.

[Scooter]

Too soon?

[BoSoxGal]

It makes me sad that he had to endure even a very few minutes with that evil prick on his last Easter on earth. I heard that Vance's limo was only on Vatican grounds for 17 minutes total, so it was indeed the briefest of audiences.

I wish Francis had had 22 years, another decade would have given him more time to push for reforms.

I hope another Jesuit is elected to replace him, but I recognize how unlikely the prospect. There is a lovely Jesuit cardinal from Canada who would be a worthy carrier of Francis's torch but . . .

[Big RR]

it makes me sad that he had to endure even a very few minutes with that evil prick on his last Easter on earth.

It goes with the job; as Jesus said, a well person is not in need of a physician. The pope has had to meet with a lot of sick people--Vance is just one.

[Scooter]

Of course Moscow Madge had her usual Christian take:

[Big RR]

If that were true she would have been the one who died, or at least was silenced.

[eddieq]

It's difficult for me to be outraged by her anymore. Probably the desired effect or her constant spew of sewage.

[Scooter]

[Big RR]

I always look forward to funerals; they're such fun. But I guess Trump wants to make sure one of his sane, high profile critics is actually dead, so maybe he is looking forward to attending.

The man is an ass.

ETA: Personally, I would prefer if the president, any president, did not travel to the funeral of the head of a religion, sending a delegation including the official funeral attender (the VP). Having the head of state attend gives a little too much deference to a particular religion (e.g. I doubt if a president would attend the Dalai Lama's funeral, or that of the orthodox Patriarch). However, it is not unprecedented (as I recall, W went to John Paul's funeral) and no one has asked me, and it is a way to pander to the religious right--especially those opposed to abortion).

[Crackpot]

Sending Vance would be disrespectful seeing as he killed the guy.