What do you guys think of Pope Francis?

[Debora123]

"The Lord created us in His image and likeness, and we are the image of the Lord, and He does good and all of us have this commandment at heart: do good and do not do evil. All of us. ‘But, Father, this is not Catholic! He cannot do good.’ Yes, he can. He must. Not can: must! Because he has this commandment within him. Instead, this ‘closing off’ that imagines that those outside, everyone, cannot do good is a wall that leads to war and also to what some people throughout history have conceived of: killing in the name of God. That we can kill in the name of God. And that, simply, is blasphemy. To say that you can kill in the name of God is blasphemy.”

"The Lord has redeemed all of us, all of us, with the Blood of Christ: all of us, not just Catholics. Everyone! ‘Father, the atheists?’ Even the atheists. Everyone! And this Blood makes us children of God of the first class! We are created children in the likeness of God and the Blood of Christ has redeemed us all! And we all have a duty to do good. And this commandment for everyone to do good, I think, is a beautiful path towards peace. If we, each doing our own part, if we do good to others, if we meet there, doing good, and we go slowly, gently, little by little, we will make that culture of encounter: we need that so much. We must meet one another doing good. ‘But I don’t believe, Father, I am an atheist!’ But do good: we will meet one another there.”

"Today is [the feast of] Santa Rita, Patron Saint of impossible things – but this seems impossible: let us ask of her this grace, this grace that all, all, all people would do good and that we would encounter one another in this work, which is a work of creation, like the creation of the Father. A work of the family, because we are all children of God, all of us, all of us! And God loves us, all of us! May Santa Rita grant us this grace, which seems almost impossible. Amen.”

…Wow, what a beautiful, powerful message of love and peace. I cannot for the life of me understand why ANY Christian in their right mind would actually be upset about this.

God Bless Pope Francis. I am so thankful we have him as the Earthly leader of Christ’s Church. Praise God.

 

[LisaA]

I personally think Pope Francis I is good for the Church, although I don’t always agree with him.

The Church has come under much defamation with the scandals, and many in intellectual circles equate it to an anti-gay far right hate group. Feminist groups also hate the church for the whole birth control thing and abortion thing. It is very much mocked by the media.

Pope Francis is a quiet and humble man. I believe the best leaders and rulers are those who leave people alone. He has no lust for power. I also think his quiet demeanor instead of a damn-it-all-to-hell fire-and-brimstone screamer is a much better image.

I got to wonder though, what’s up with his pardoning of atheists.

Any thoughts?

I heard this discussed on EWTN. I think it was Fr Mitch Pacwa SJ who said that it is POSSIBLE because salvation is OFFERED to all. But it’s up to the atheist to take the offer. He pointed out the well known portrait of Christ “I stand at the door and knock…” But if you look there is no latch on the outside. We must invite Christ into our lives.

So he wasn’t suggesting a pardon for atheists’ sins but that there is an opportunity for them as well as anyone to accept the salvation of Jesus Christ.

As to my overall impression, I was prepared to be “underwhelmed” because I so adored Pope Benedict and I am sure as with those who grew up with Blessed John Paul II, you cannot imagine another Pope capturing your heart in the same way. But Pope Francis has been a “light shining in the darkness” in so many ways. I appreciate his thoughtful words and the more down to earth discussions about our duty as Catholics. It’s a different style than Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI but wonderful in its holiness and call to all of us to be all in.

Lisa

 

[Luigi_Daniele]

I think that he is awesome and a breath of fresh air.

It’s Pope Francis. No “1”

 

[clem456]

It’s essential in the discussion of the Pope’s talk about atheists, to know the difference between Christ’s redemptive action, and salvation.
Redemption and salvation do not mean the same thing. This is why the secular media is so confused on that issue. If that difference in meanings is not respected, the conversation just goes round in circles.
The Pope noted that redemption is offered to everyone by Christ. I think the date of the talk was May 2nd? It’s easily googleable.
Redemption is offered to everyone.
Not everyone will accept redemption.
Not everyone will attain salvation, Catholic or otherwise, for reasons that only God knows.