New Pope

[Maria]

What I predict is that the current Pope will want to emphasize the RC Church's "social mission" more, i.e. more leftist political pronouncements, probably involving solidarity with "southern" progressive or anti-capitalist governmens. "Anglo-Saxon" capitalism, corporations and banks will be the big concern of his papacy. There will probably also be a lot more ecumenism, and some softening of Pope Benedict's more conservative doctrinal position (although he certainly didn't shy away from ecumenical activity). There will probably be a closer relationship with the ecumenist Orthodox churches, both Moscow and the Phanar.

There have already been some liberalizations under Pope Francis at the Vatican. Since Pope Francis has openly embraced the modernist Novus Ordo Mass in his own diocese of Buenos Aires and has discouraged the Tridentine Latin Mass (TLM), which was never allowed to take root in his own diocese, he most likely will never encourage or use the TLM or Extraordinary Form (EF) of the Mass. Additionally, Pope Francis will make more ecumenical gestures and participate in more ecumenical events than that of his immediate predecessor. I fully expect him to promote a false unity with World Orthodoxy that will deceive many due to his pretense of humility.

[Barbara]

That is brilliant, Maria.

That is exactly what Pope Francis sounds like he will bring about due to his - to me, only - masquerade.
I am not saying he is a secret tycoon hidden behind Papal vestiture.

But he just seems SO - at very BEST - bland. No character, seems like no real heart.

Mother Teresa was also way overrated and it may be useful to study HOW the media actually completely
CREATED her image as the soul of poverty.

There is a study coming out from Canada this month, apparently, of which the summary has been published in The Independent
and India Times.

There are too many phony or fishy things about the Albanian nun to accept this image of her.

I doubt the study mentions her DREADFUL homosexual spiritual director ; but that was a shocking scandal [suppressed, of course].
One can see that for all Mother Teresa's gestures and lifetime of service, she had zero spiritual discernment [to put it mildly - this
confessor was notorious, yet she had him conduct retreats for her and maybe some of her nuns as well. Terrible ! ].

I bet Pope Francis is going to be such a media creation. Notice how many times he is in the news, too, every single day almost
since his election.

In retrospect, the Western media clearly didn't like Pope Benedict XVI. They made him "reactionary" every time, putting in tons
of digs. Also the media blatantly sermonized about how the Catholic Church MUST open up to all the pet liberal causes....

About the Tridentine Mass, this is a key point for many. I appreciate hearing what Maria has learned so far regarding Pope Francis'
attitude and past record about that.

If we hear updates as we go along, that will help crystallize what the new Pope's agenda actually is.
Thanks again for the commentary.

[Maria]

There is this news article which demonstrates Pope Francis' ecumenical relationship with Muslims:

• “He always showed himself as a friend of the Islamic community. He visited the At-Tauhid Mosque (located) in the neighborhood of Floresta and the Arab-Argentine Ali Ibn Abi Talib School strengthening our relations”, the Director of the House for the Diffusion of Islam Sheik Mohsen Ali said and described a personal anecdote with the man that has now become “the Pope of the end of the world.

For the complete story, please click this link:
http://www.buenosairesherald.com/articl ... -community

[Barbara]

Good research, Maria.
By the way, 'Pope of the end of the world' is quite a phrase.

[Maria]

Good research, Maria.
By the way, 'Pope of the end of the world' is quite a phrase.

Good catch. That phrase did not register as that Muslim journalist's acceptance of the Pope as "Petros Romanos"

[Barbara]

Interesting, huh ?!

By the way, as I read this again, I note the name of the mosque is "Al-Tauhid".
That means "Unity of God" like there is only ONE God, not many.

[Maria]

Interesting, huh ?!

By the way, as I read this again, I note the name of the mosque is "Al-Tauhid".
That means "Unity of God" like there is only ONE God, not many.

Muslims believe in One God, not a Triune God. They accuse us of heresy because we believe in a Triune God.

By the way, this new pope has had interactions with Protestant, Jews, and Muslims as part of his ecumenical activities. There is a movement among Catholics, particularly those in the Charismatic Movement, to avoid sheep stealing, so that those who are not Catholic are encouraged to become better Protestants, better Jews, better Muslims, better Hindi, and better Buddhists.

The current Pope has attended a number of Charismatic Conventions with Protestants and Catholics. In addition, this Pope has visited synagogues and mosques. During Chanukah this past year while still a Cardinal, Pope Francis even lit some candles during that service. No doubt because of his friendship with these non-Catholics, I have an inkling that this Pope will not encourage conversions to Catholicism to avoid the image of "sheep stealing."