Pope Francis is possibly the Catholic Church’s most valuable asset.
Pope Francis in 2015 visited the United States. This was a momentous and earth shaking event that has left many lives changed. This included the then current United States House of Representative Speaker John Boehner.
What is it about this man that is so contagious? Is it his genuineness? His beautiful selfless acts of compassion (like kissing the feet of Aid victims and allowing the children to come near him)? Is it his humour? It could be all of this and more. It is because of his God given Compassion and the action of the Holy Spirit in his life. Thank God for him.
The truth is that Pope Francis is one of the most interesting individuals on our planet today. He could even be one of the most fascinating and attractive Popes ever! Facts about Pope Francis may confirm this statement. For example, did you know that his Holiness studied philosophy at the Catholic University of Buenos Aires and also has a master’s degree in Chemistry from the University of Buenos Aires? It’s a fact. He has a brilliant brain and can speak the language of science.
How about the fact that Pope Francis is the first Jesuit pope, the first from the Americas, the first from the Southern Hemisphere and the first non-European pope since the Syrian Gregory III in 741. Probably one of folk’s favourite facts is that he worked as a bouncer in a Buenos Aries bar to help pay for his studies (in other words, don’t mess with this pope.)
Pope Francis is a people’s Pope and he slowly going to change the entire face of the Roman Catholic Church. He’s a people person. Things in the Catholic Church will never be the same again.
Pope Francis’ dialogue with Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury, was a momentous advance in ecumenical relationships.That they were both as Bishops of the Church to meet and share fellowship was wonderful. It was a real joy to see them standing together in this photo.
Now he’s going to visit Egypt. Whatever we may think of Islam, the Pope is prepared to hold out the hand of friendship to Muslims.
May the Lord protect him and bless his Papacy, God’s Man for this 21st Century. He’s a Jesus Man. Alleluia.
All Along the Watchtower 
Malcolm thank you for this positive message.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Philip, he is much loved in my part of the world ( Cornwall) There’s not a large Catholic community in West Cornwall, but my Catholic friends think he’s a breath of fresh air. One of my close pals is even thinking of ordination because of Pope Francis.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I find myself in the middle, I don’t always agree with the man, but there things that he does that I do agree with– one of which is his focus on Mercy and the Confession. I often DO recommend his book the Name of God is Mercy for those who struggle with the faith,sins, and God.
The problem is that the polarization of the faithful often finds me with few friends.
LikeLiked by 1 person
My Deacon friend who is very much wanting to “progress” the Church often calls me a Traditionalist, but I find it strange when I challenge those who wish to put rails back in the Churches and take away the cup. When I advocate to allowing the Clergy of the Church.
But I do reject the call for Women ordination and the push for divorce couples to partake in Communion on the theological grounds of Mt. 19. However, what is the context of St. Paul’s eating and drinking death? What does he mean by discernment? Where this judgment comes from on Paul’s text is unclear.
LikeLike
Philip, you might find this post interesting: http://drmsh.com/the-lords-supper-1-corinthians-1117-34-post-4-of-4/.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Right away I disagree with this statement:
“Paul’s language clearly links his understanding of the Lord’s Supper to the Last Supper, not John 6, which isn’t connected to the Last Supper.”
It’s clear that John 6 teaching foreshadows the Last Supper. The Apostles during John have no understanding of Christ’s teaching, it’s only after the supper so they can clarification.
LikeLike
“Catholicism wants to filter the whole thing through John 6, and then literalize that.”
Exactly, that’s what I believe and that’s what Christ’s true Church teaches.
LikeLike
Gareth,
I read your blog with interest. We’ve had many heated encounters on the internet over the years. No doubt you recall Damian Thompson’s blogs on the Telegraph. They were extraordinarily interesting forums.
Was Fr Teilhard a modernist? Maybe. He was certainly a creative thinker. Even if he was marginalized by his co-religionists, and out in the cold, he nevertheless pursued his path with courage, determination and holy zeal.
We see the same Spiritual energy in Pope Francis. The latter is making people sit up and take notice. He too is a creative thinker and is upsetting his co-religionists. But at least he’s breathing life into the Body of Christ.
Just one point, you refer to me as a mentally fragile human being. I wouldn’t deny it, but then we are all mentally fragile human beings – yourself included. People in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones.
LikeLike
If it’s ad hominems that really give you your thrills, here’s my goodbye to this nonsense:
Malcolm. You. Are. A. Tosser.
Bye bye everyone.
Gareth
LikeLike
God bless you Gareth. I hope you find what you’re looking for.
LikeLike
Oh classic. You wind people up to get a reaction then try to appear the reasonable person. Same old technique.
What happened to your post from yesterday? Deleted because you knew you were pushing it too far? It’s all dodgy stuff Malcolm, just like you always did.
Yes, God bless you too. I found what I was looking for. I don’t need this. Ever again.
LikeLike
It may not be Pope Francis’s papacy he admires but his insults: http://thatthebonesyouhavecrushedmaythrill.blogspot.com/2013/12/the-pope-francis-little-book-of-insults.html
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great fun! I just emailed Jessica to explain why I am finished here. We go back a long way, to the days when she was being bullied on the Telegraph blog and we defended her. Malcolm was always the joker in the pack, undermining the Catholic cause against the enemy. No idea what his game really is. Nor does he, I imagine. It’s all showcasing and ego.
Loads of school prep to do for tomorrow, so this is really goodnight!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good night Gareth, enjoyed your company.
LikeLike
Gareth, it sounds like you are living out your version of the Benedict option. Maybe once my wife retires I might consider the same . . . times are not good for those who simply seek growing in their faith and advancing their spirituality. A hermits life might be the answer. I had a good friend, a consecrated virgin who lived a contemplative hermits life. Her health is now failing but she seemed to find a path outside of all the factions and craziness of the age. I pray you have found more peace in your new hermitage with your faithful donks.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Scoop. Good luck in here. I’m out of it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s just a distraction for an old man who is awaiting my wife’s retirement. I doubt my participation here will last once that milestone is reached . . . in fact, I might toss away all of these electronic distractions for the sake of peace and tranquility.
LikeLiked by 2 people
The secret of success lies with the tosser…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Scoop, I’m a bit late to this party, however I certainly empathize with your desire to unplug from the electronic distractions. Lately I’ve deleted my blog, deactivated Facebook, and largely limit my internet usage to checking email, with a few occasional exceptions. Sort of an electronic Lenten fast, which has resulted in a much greater sense of tranquility. I intend for this “Lenten fast” to remain in effect permanently. I will say that I’m saddened to check in here this morning for the first time in a couple of weeks, to see it in its current shape. All the same, I hope you’re having a good Lent.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Steven. Yes I think we spend far too much time running to the computer every time it dings so that we can read a message and then answer a message. Hope you have a good Lent as well Steven.
LikeLike
C, is this the first time a post & comments were taken down? You rave about free speech, then… At least put the comments back up. I’m referring to the post before this one that Malcolm put up.
LikeLike
C, is this the first time a post & comments have been taken down. You rave about free speech, then…
LikeLiked by 1 person
It was, and it has been restored.
In the last 14 days I have worked 12 x 14 hour days, so please excuse me if this blog has not been my first point of call 🙂
LikeLike
The secret of success lies with the tosser…Amen
Well from one tosser to another, Good night tosser. I don’t suppose either of us will lose any sleep over it.
LikeLike
oh and I nearly forgot, Good night Tosser Scoop.
LikeLike
If that is supposed to draw me into your crude sense of humor, don’t bother. I won’t play.
LikeLike
You already have mate.
LikeLike
Don’t flatter yourself.
LikeLike
Good brother Burrito told me what tosser meant in good brother Damiens fight cage. Good brother Malcolm, im surprised at you.
My guess is that you erased everything that led up to you calling good brother Scoop a tosser.
If this is a post about the Holy father, here is my take on him;
He a Jesuit, sworn to eradicate Protestantism from the earth. He is the head of a pedophile ring disguised as a religion. He needs to be in prison.
LikeLike
Well, he is indeed a Jesuit, which these days is a pretty damning criticism. As for the rest, Bosco dear, you haven’t been drinking Anti Moly’s gin-and-toilet cleaner, have you?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Priceless!
LikeLike
This cant be what everyone is upset about. Theres nothing here. Im disappointed. I was expecting a good knock down drag out fight….but theres nothing to see.
I want my money back.
LikeLike
Oh yeah baby, I love the above pic of the Holy Father holding his pine cone staff of bacchus with a well known Satanist symbol on top…..the bent crooked cross. Its all there for everyone to see. You cant call me names and sweep it under the rug. Its not going to go away. Satan is showing his people who his people are. And showing the world what his religion is….the catholic Church. If burning bible believers doesn’t convine the world that the CC is of the Devil, the Holy Father bent crooked cross should do the trick.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It has to be said that many Catholics have severe problems with Pope Francis.
I don’t agree with everything in the following article, but he makes some interesting points:
http://www.onepeterfive.com/four-years-later-reflections-unprecedented-pontificate/
LikeLike