The new-ish pope

[gwenhyver42]

[mojoboy31]

I've been very impressed by pope Francesco(?)
Ever since they first revealed him. Seems a real humble guy.

[Princess Dee]

Time magazine chose him as their Person of the Year.

A good choice, I thought.

[GaudeEtLaetare]

I'm just rather amused about all the media attraction to Pope Francis. Many things that have been supposedly "written" about Francis often completely twist the words he is saying and turning those words into something they are not; I know this is just usual secular media. Liberal media is quite stupid as always. I just find it odd that secular, western media practically hated everything about Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI and now they just absolutely adore Pope Francis, because it appears Pope Francisco now accepts all things which are considered sin. P.E. Benedict XVI is actually a hardcore theologian. When I read his works they are astounding and extremely complex; they are not easy reads.

I like Pope Francis but if anyone thinks he is preaching anything different, he is not. Just saying the same old things other popes have said, but he does it in his own way which makes him unique. All popes bring their own unique qualities and experiences which is what I like about them. It's too bad most people are too stupid and arrogant to realize this. It's just easier to be gullible and read everything the media "reports."

I don't have any criticisms against Papa Francisco but he seems indifferent to the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite Mass (for those who don't know, the Mass said in Latin). It would be nice to support those (in communion with Rome of course) who are trying to get the EF Mass back into parishes. I really think that the Ordinary Form needs a major cleanup; so much liturgical abuse in OF Mass, especially at my parish. I absolutely cringe at the laity who do these illicit and liturgical abuses and then the priest is completely oblivious to the fact that the laity are doing things that are forbidden. We really need to start going back to "our roots," and clean up all these liturgical abuses in the OF Mass. If Papa Francisco will not pay attention to the EF Mass, he should at least address the liturgical abuses that are rampant in most U.S. parishes that make me want to vomit.

But for some reason I doubt Papa Francisco will do this; P.E. Benedict XVI barely scratched the surface of dealing with these liturgical abuses, and before he could fully address these issues-he resigned.

[Narnian525]

I'm weary of his views and I don't want to upset anyone with my different opinions, so I'll just leave this conversation to you guys.

[mojoboy31]

Yeah, I remember how dismayed the media was when he was announced: being a Jesuit priest and all. They were really hoping for a political ally in the Pope... So now, they pretty much just portray him as if he is... I'll say again, I am still very impressed with how humble he is.

[GaudeEtLaetare]

[gwenhyver42]

While I appreciate tradition for what it is, Latin is a dead language, and few learn it anymore. One of the best things that came out of the "Reformat" (I don't know the actual term, so have patience with me) was that Mass was finally being given in the language of the people in the parish. People can understand what the priest is saying! How are we to learn anything about God if we cannot understand the language spoken at church? Yes, there is the Bible itself, which we have the freedom to read, but without corporate learning as well as individual, with agreement on the foundational truths, there is no unity –– at least, not without a major miracle –– and it is easy for the people to remain in ignorance. Think the Dark Ages. Do we really want to go back to that?

My impression of Pope Francis is that he seeks to promote the Gospel, and that he considers people more important than rigid laws and traditions –– not that he would give false grace to those in sin, but that he would treat them as the human beings they are, created in the image of God. I also think there's a big difference between judging someone in your heart and judging their behaviour according to what you know to be right or wrong. I also don't picture him riding around in a gold Pope-mobile (as the kids in the Catholic school I went to called it) –– in fact, I could be wrong, but I think he asked to drive his own car. That really says a lot about him.

The media has it wrong so often on so many things, I am really cautious about believing them when they say anything about a religious leader –– Christian, Catholic, or otherwise.

[Dadinator]

I stay away from the pope, too many purchased papacies and debauchery in the middle ages for me. Jesus said he would build his church on peter not make him the first in a succession of popes. Just my 2 cents.

[Narnian525]

[gwenhyver42]

[mojoboy31]

[mojoboy31]

Starting thread, moving posts...