Comparing Francis to...

[seeking_perfection]

i think a lot of people (Catholics and otherwise) have been caught up with and impressed by Pope Francis' first days. His simple style, connection with people and an unwillingness to be locked away behind closed doors has received a lot of praise, as if we had been waiting for someone to do this for a long time.

However, how are people squaring that with their love and respect for previous popes? Surely the praise he is receiving can only be a dig at his predecessors?

i'd be interested in your opinions (and I'm not catholic, not American and the topic is worldwide if that helps, given the fun happening on the forum today )

 

[Nietzscheiswrong]

He's great. IF there ever was a Pope who would call a vatican III or reform the church that would be him.

 

[cathoaholicliz]

LOL Well I see your point, people here have worried that the pope's praises would cause past popes to look bad but for me I don't think it does anything. The secular world will see it as a dig at past popes but once this pope no longer lives up to their hopes and dreams he'll look just as bad to the secular world. People will be disgruntled, probably even Catholics, when he doesn't allow women to be ordained as they dreamed, or allows contraception or any number of things the world wants to see. He could live in a mountain in his underwear and people will eventually hate him and malign him.

 

[Cathgirl]

Surely the praise he is receiving can only be a dig at his predecessors?

Not for me. I love and praise Pope Francis and Pope Benedict equally, and for different things. They both seem humble, but for theology I turn to Benedict, for a man of the people I turn to Francis. They are both brilliant and good at what they do, and at different things. In short, I praise them both equally.

 

[cathoaholicliz]

bump. i would like to see more replies on this thread but with today's drama its going to be buried.

 

[Lepanto]

Whether he is great or not, we'll see.

Personally, I am not that optimistic due to :
* Fr L Boff and Hans Kung were delighted at his being elected;

* The secular mass media reported so much on him. All were positive. If you wish to know the opinion of the Devil, ask either Hollywood or the secular media;

* He affirmed he will continue the NEW ecumenism;

* He broke so much traditions right from the start of his papacy.

 

[InnerPhyre]

* He broke so much traditions right from the start of his papacy. He seems to be heading towards becoming a Protestant pastor.

I lol'd. Surely living in lavish palaces and wearing the finest clothing are older traditions than caring for the poor and showing love and humility before all mankind.

 

[Michie]

If you all believe the Holy Spirit has led the cardinals to elect him you should just trust that & see what unfolds. If he starts growing horns, a pointed tail, & changes the deposit of faith... then you can worry.

 

[Andres88]

I've never seen it as a rupture with his predecessors. We should keep in mind that each pope has his own formation, his own life experience, and his own history. I don't think that a cardinal, when elected pope, needs to leave everything he was behind: the things he has lived might help him a lot in the way he will lead the Church. The fact that the media "approves" him proves nothing: they are just approving because they see an apparent rupture. Wait until he restates that marriage is between a man and a woman, and soon enough you will see the media's barks and bites.

 

[Michie]

Whether he is great or not, we'll see.

Personally, I am not that optimistic due to :
* Fr L Boff and Hans Kung were delighted at his being elected;

* The secular mass media reported so much on him. All were positive. If you wish to know the opinion of the Devil, ask either Hollywood or the secular media;

* He affirmed he will continue the NEW ecumenism;

* He broke so much traditions right from the start of his papacy. He seems to be heading towards becoming a Protestant pastor.

He washed female's feet at the mass of the last supper as well. Before you get worried, read this: How Should We Understand Pope Francis Washing Women's Feet?

 

[TheOtherHockeyMom]

I'm very excited to see Pope Francis' actions in the early dsys of his papacy. I thought and still think he was an inspired choice. However I don't think thst takes away anything from his predecessors. I had many things I liked about them too.

I wonder if the joy and enthusiasm around Pope Francis seems to some to be a bit disloyal because his predecessor is still alive.

 

[Michie]

I'm very excited to see Pope Francis' actions in the early dsys of his papacy. I thought and still think he was an inspired choice. However I don't think thst takes away anything from his predecessors. I had many things I liked about them too.

I wonder if the joy and enthusiasm around Pope Francis seems to some to be a bit disloyal because his predecessor is still alive.

Having Pope Benedict still alive does make one feel a bit disloyal. But there is more than one way to be a Pope. I'm sure he realizes each of us are given different gifts & exercised in the times they are needed.

 

[americanvet]

Whether he is great or not, we'll see.

Personally, I am not that optimistic due to :
* Fr L Boff and Hans Kung were delighted at his being elected;

* The secular mass media reported so much on him. All were positive. If you wish to know the opinion of the Devil, ask either Hollywood or the secular media;

* He affirmed he will continue the NEW ecumenism;

* He broke so much traditions right from the start of his papacy. He seems to be heading towards becoming a Protestant pastor.

Emphasis mine.

Are you calling the Pope the devil? Even this Methodist is shocked if that is the case. If you are not I am sorry for reading to much into your post.

 

[Gnarwhal]

Emphasis mine.

Are you calling the Pope the devil? Even this Methodist is shocked if that is the case. If you are not I am sorry for reading to much into your post.

I think he's saying that the secular media reflects a secular perspective on things, and thus a secular perspective would more accurately reflect the devil's opinion than that of the Church.

"Spin" = the devil's opinion.

I hope I didn't just make that more confusing, and I apologize if I'm misrepresenting Lepanto's thoughts.

 

[Cathgirl]

He washed female's feet at the mass of the last supper as well. Before you get worried, read this: How Should We Understand Pope Francis Washing Women's Feet?

Informative article, thanks!

 

[Michie]

Informative article, thanks!

You're welcome!