Team Francis aren’t popular in Rome these days. The best kept secret of this pontificate, at least so far as the general public in concerned, is that Jorge Bergoglio is not, and never has been, a nice man. He made so many enemies in Argentina that he hasn’t dared set foot in his native country since being elected pope. He was involved in some jaw-dropping scandals there, most shockingly his attempt to protect his child abuser ally Fr Julio Grassi from justice. He’s lucky that the Vatican press corps is too afraid of him to investigate them properly.
Francis has a streak of cruelty in him, and recently he’s done little to hide it. Last year his authoritarian attempt to crush regular celebrations of the traditional Latin Mass offended hundreds of bishops who don’t like that style of worship but dislike the Argentinian pontiff even more. They have quietly ignored the ruling, much to the fury of the papal liturgy chief, a painfully self-important Yorkshireman called Arthur Roche who will be made a cardinal in August.
Go here to read the rest. The most unloved Pope in centuries, at least among those who know him, or have been paying attention.
A deep cleanse, call it a divine enema, will befall Rome.
How else will the Church rid itself of obstructions that clog the flow of grace?
I miss St JP2.
I wonder how many converts have been eagerly brought into God’s Holy Church by this man’s behavior? isn’t that at least one criterion of his job?
I miss St JP2.
Aye. However, I’m hoping that if we are given a faithful Pope, he will be someone quite different than John Paul or Benedict. That is, someone who travels little, says little for attribution, shuts down dicasteries and reduces the staff of the Holy See, and picks bishops with the utmost care.
I agree with Art, but if we’re formulating wish lists, I’d add “… reigns in the German bishops and disbands the Jesuits.”
Also, if he were to anathemize amoris laetitia (if not every document produced by this pontificate) I’d be overjoyed.
As long as we’re doing wish lists, I’m on board with both Art and CAG. Especially the part about the Jesuits. The few good and holy priests remaining in that tattered order will quickly find somewhere else to roost.
No more white (-skinned) popes for awhile, please.
The Jesuits are supposed to be the pope’s militia, and I’d like to see a pope come along who expects them to live that out. But I’d be happy with a caretaker pope, maybe older and Italian, who knows the Institution will outlast him. I liked what the article said about Cardinal Zuppi, as a guy who gets along with everyone.
The Jesuits are supposed to be the pope’s militia, and I’d like to see a pope come along who expects them to live that out.
” I liked what the article said about Cardinal Zuppi, as a guy who gets along with everyone.”
Paul VI was like that, trying to please everybody. No backbone. Humanae Vitae being a wonderful exception, and I don’t see Zuppi, or any Italian bishop sticking his neck out like that these days. Europe is too anti-Christian for anyone raised there to not have their worldview somehow tainted by the prevailing mindset.
That is, someone who travels little
A travelling Pope is not a bad thing, although this Pope does not do it well ie. disastrous plane interviews, meetings with the wrong dignitaries, confusing obscure “messages” etc etc
However, I am in awe when millions turn out in countries to see the Holy Father. It shows the lying media and critics that our Faith is not dead or irrelevant. And for the faithful, it emphasises the universality of our Faith when the Pope travels to a nation.
One of St JP2 great legacy’s was World Youth Day. The reason why it was important was it was where Catholic youth could display and celebrate their Faith in a open and public setting with likeminded individuals and it produced vocations, conversions of heart and much good. It was a way the Pope could connect with the young Church.
I wouldn’t mind if a new Pope didn’t travel for a while whilst he got things back in order.
Praying for a good Pope next time round.
OT: You guys will be pleased to know that Deacon Greydanus has finally commented on the biggest and most pressing Supreme-Court-related issue of the week
Wait.
Dang. Neglected to add a period to the end of that sentence. Feel free to add one for me, Donald!
Re Deacon Greydanus: Ok, protesting obvious election fraud and passing state laws to help prevent same is a “threat to our democracy.” Got it. 🤦🏻♂️