Tag: Pope Francis

Why Defrocking is Not the Answer

I have written before concerning Pope Francis’ contempt for conservative Catholics. One such example of that contempt was his statement that “in the United States . . . there is a very strong reactionary attitude. It is organized and...

Pope Francis’ View of Conservative Catholics

In a conversation with Jesuit priests and students in Portugal on August 28, 2023, Pope Francis answered a number of questions asked by attendees. Several of his answers deserve close evaluation. (It should be noted that The U.S. Conference of...

The Holy Spirit in the Teachings of Pope Francis

One of the contemporary pneumatologists who inspires us to believe, love and trust the Holy Spirit is Pope Francis. In his very particular poetic-practical style, the Argentinian Pope helps us approach the Holy Spirit with that ardent openness...

A World on Fire

When I was in  high school, every sophomore had to read Caesar’s Gallic Wars. The first line has stayed with me ever since. Omnes Gallia tres partes, which translates to All Gaul is divided into three parts, namely Gallia Celtica, Belgica and...

Pope Francis Offers Guidance

On November 22 five staff from America Magazine, two Jesuits and three laypeople, interviewed Pope Francis on topics ranging from polarization in the U.S. church to racism, the war in Ukraine, the Vatican’s relations with China, and...

When the President Met the Pope

On November 1, All Saints Day, the Catholic News Service reported on President Biden’s visit with Pope Francis. I’ll begin with a background note, then examine what the participants said about the meeting, and, finally, consider what message it sent...

Where Pope Francis Needs to Improve

Polls reveal that a large majority of Catholics have a positive view of Pope Francis. However,  far fewer look to him for moral guidance. (In one study, only 11% did.)  It is therefore difficult to know how many Catholics are...

Catholic Bishops’ Response to Biden’s Vaccine Mandate

President Biden has made clear his belief that everyone has a moral obligation to receive the Covid vaccine. The refusal of many citizens to act accordingly has, in his view, put the health of many Americans at risk. He therefore signed an executive...