Pope Francis

There are 33 replies in this Thread which has previously been viewed 2,836 times. The latest Post (May 6, 2025 at 11:07 PM) was by GlasgowJohn.

    At the age of 88. He had been ill for some time.

    There are and have been mixed opinions about Francis with many disappointed as to why he never stepped foot in Argentina since he was elected Pope in 2013. Some say that it's because he didn't want his visit to be politically tainted, but he had in fact taken a side anyway.

    Francis: Pope from Latin America who changed Catholic Church
    His papacy heralded many firsts and raised questions about the leadership of the Catholic Church.
    www.bbc.com
    Quote from GlasgowJohn

    7 days of national mourning...any idea what this means?

    I have never understood what that entails.

    Quote from UK Man

    No idea but my devout catholic missus won't be shedding a tear. She's never been a favourite fan of his.

    Although my wife is Catholic, she certainly isn't devout, has a healthy disregard for many aspects of the Catholic Church and has always been perplexed by Francis' reluctance to return to Argentina. Especially his relationship with the Kirchners.

    Quote from Imwriting

    What was his take on the Dirty War back in the day? Whilst A matter that has troubled the church ever since I’ve not got a handle on his particular take or role.

    It's said that he was too close to the junta.

    Also, isn't it interesting to watch all the usual suspects paying their respects now that he's dead, whereas when he was alive, they couldn't stop criticising him, especially for not coming back to his home country.

    His never coming back to Argentina appears to be a cornerstone of general negative observations. I think that makes sense.

    And now we have a respectful period of mourning.

    I wonder whether Argentines will move on rather quickly from this. I suspect the ruminating will be short-term.

    I saw a take on the runners and riders to replace him.
    I was figuring on an African in the mix. But I didn’t see one.

    I saw a white-skinned collection of early 70s guys from Portugal, Hungary, Italy peppered scantly with 2 fellas early 50s.

    I find myself unexpectedly fascinated by the process and by the candidates.

    But there’s a funeral first.

    Quote from Imwriting

    His never coming back to Argentina appears to be a cornerstone of general negative observations. I think that makes sense.

    And now we have a respectful period of mourning.

    I wonder whether Argentines will move on rather quickly from this. I suspect the ruminating will be short-term.

    I saw a take on the runners and riders to replace him.
    I was figuring on an African in the mix. But I didn’t see one.

    I saw a white-skinned collection of early 70s guys from Portugal, Hungary, Italy peppered scantly with 2 fellas early 50s.

    I find myself unexpectedly fascinated by the process and by the candidates.

    But there’s a funeral first.

    I'm non Cathoilc so really couldn't care less who they choose. However I was discussing the selection process with the missus who she seems to think it's all a bit dodgy. She'd certainly like to see someone who has more youth on their side than the old jossers they tend to pick.

    Quote from UK Man

    Nuff said. I wouldn't be surprised if his selection was influenced by a payment to the Vatican.

    Wow. I thought that I was cynical!

    It was widely said that conservatives and people who prefer the 20th century to the realities of life in the 21st century didn’t like or accept him. But the only people I ever talked with who went out of their way to be disdainful were Argentines, who may never have another chance at having a fellow countryman achieve this high honor.

    As a non-Argentine, I don’t feel rejected by his not coming home, but I can see it put a lot of noses out of joint. From a continent away, what I saw was his rejecting the imperial trappings of office in favor of more Christ-like humble living space, food, etc. And I rejoiced that a religious leader of ANY religion actually stood up for the poor, the oppressed, the marginalized, in particular the migrants, in this day of adoration of obscene wealth and oppressive power.