For me, the entire process of selecting and then presenting a new Pontif was beautiful. I am not a Catholic. But I was still struck by the selection of a Pope who is multi-national in both geneology and life experience. I felt, and still feel, that within a matter of minutes Leo IV became the most powerful and influencial American just by his moral authority and devotion to Higher Authority. So, Catholics, who will you follow, politics aside? The clown of JD Vance or Trump or the incredible love, acceptance, and support of the poor of the world of Pope Francis and now Leo IV. It is absolutely a time of HOPE.
Pope Francis knew about Vance even before they met before Pope Francis passed on Easter Monday. The Pope knew Vance's antics as well as the Felon's. I think, like the Felon, it was a publicity stunt meeting Pope Francis.
It was absolutely a stunt, as is Vance's cosplay of a Catholic or Trump holding an upside-down Bible while railing against protesters during his first term. These folks are spiritually void and any attempt by them to appear the least bit moral is simply skin-walking.
Pretty sickening on both Vance and the Felon's behavior, and to think we have some thousand more days with these two in Office. It's hard for a lot of people getting up each day to hear this vengeance news about the Felon's Administration, but as the saying goes . . . this, too will pass. Thank you, Jon. My best, James
Excellent piece of writing, and good analysis that is helpful and yes, hopeful! Let's hope he, and the Catholics like him who believe in and follow Jesus teachings to love all our fellow humans, will be counter balance to the current evil running amok in this country.
Hi Elliot, I found this edition if Through the Fog to be refreshing in that you do recognize the complexities facing us all - including the Catholic Church. It’s entirely possible the Cardinals chose Prevost as a rebuke to the excesses of not Trump alone, but Netanyahu, Putin, Orban, and the other autocrats whose disregard for human suffering and the rule of law have brought the world to its current frightening state. It’s equally possible they chose him because he’s a centrist who can build bridges between the conservatives and the liberals among the College of Cardinals. We will never know, and what matters now is to watch and see what unfolds. Meanwhile we here in the USA (not “America,” as you and others have pointed out) who want the rule of law, integrity, and equal access to resources for all have to be actively involved in opposing the administration. We have to vote, and educate others about the necessity of voting.
Thank you Elliot for yet another thoughtful, and HOPEFUL, posting. The Spanish philosopher Miguel de Unamuno is often quoted as saying, "Life is doubt, and faith without doubt is nothing but death". Our present "leaders" evince no doubt about anything they think, say and do.
Elliot, Thank you for your "like" of my "like" of your "A Pope of Hope? - A message from Rome" piece.
I'm getting confused already with all this "liking" business.
Technology is "neutral" ...
Years ago Marshall McLuhan (among others) posited that, "The Medium Is the Message". Steve Bannon (among others) got that (otherwise "neutral") insight, exploited and ran with it full tilt. (See David Brooks' 7/21/24 "New Yorker" Bannon interview.)
From out here in the "Outer Lands" of SF,
Don Buckter
P.S. Today I booked passage and lodging for the "United for Veterans. Unite for America" gathering on June 6 in DC.
Since I am a nontheist, I have little interest in other religions, but I greatly admired Pope Francis for his humanity, and Pope Leo seems to be cut of the same cloth.
I’m a cultural Catholic. That means I was raised that way but not a practitioner and abhor the patriarchy. I admit to liking Pope Francis very much because he walked the talk. Having said all that, I find all this riffing on Pope Leo and his future “impacts” on the world to be tiresome, another creation of the news media to try to keep our attention.
I do hope that the rest of the world realizes that so many Americans are deeply disturbed, offended and outraged by what is happening here…that we haven’t all sold our souls to greed, corruption and power. And I do hope that those of us who possess a moral compass will rally behind a message of justice and love. May the new pope help codify those efforts.
I love our new “American” - North or South- Pope ! And I wish he had spoken English in his first address from the balcony along with Italian and Spanish. There are millions of English speaking Catholics and we would have loved it. As a ex Catholic who predates Vatican 2 I have seen and appreciate the changes from my childhood church. It is a far better church today ! Those who yearn for the Latin Mass are just fooling themselves. It was just plain boring ! They just want to hide away in their special mass and feel “special”. Their prayers are somehow more holy, more traditional. Jesus spoke Aramaic, Latin was the language of the Mass after Constantine. Let us just rejoice in this new Pope and pray for him as he confronts old problems.
Joan, nice comment. I always scratched my head when Catholics wanted the Latin Mass back again. Most Catholics don't understand the Latin language, and you'd think they would be happy hearing the Mass in English, like me. My best, James
what always impressed me with the Latin Mass was that no matter where you went in the world, if there was a Mass, you could follow along in your Missal. You knew where you were at all times. You didn't have to understand the words to feel the effects. I could have gone to Spain or Germany or Japan, and the priest would be using a language I could follow along with in my Missal.
I am no longer catholic, but my roots are. and that stays with you forever...seeing an american Pope is incredibly satisfying. It also balances out the horror of our President. I also do not expect to outlive him, seeing as he is 11 years my junior. that's strangely reassuring.
Thank you for this. I, too, see the new Pope Leo IV as a hopeful way shower. I am not a Catholic but also have found the process of his selection deeply meaningful. Thank you for putting it all into affirming words.
For me, the entire process of selecting and then presenting a new Pontif was beautiful. I am not a Catholic. But I was still struck by the selection of a Pope who is multi-national in both geneology and life experience. I felt, and still feel, that within a matter of minutes Leo IV became the most powerful and influencial American just by his moral authority and devotion to Higher Authority. So, Catholics, who will you follow, politics aside? The clown of JD Vance or Trump or the incredible love, acceptance, and support of the poor of the world of Pope Francis and now Leo IV. It is absolutely a time of HOPE.
Pope Francis knew about Vance even before they met before Pope Francis passed on Easter Monday. The Pope knew Vance's antics as well as the Felon's. I think, like the Felon, it was a publicity stunt meeting Pope Francis.
It was absolutely a stunt, as is Vance's cosplay of a Catholic or Trump holding an upside-down Bible while railing against protesters during his first term. These folks are spiritually void and any attempt by them to appear the least bit moral is simply skin-walking.
Pretty sickening on both Vance and the Felon's behavior, and to think we have some thousand more days with these two in Office. It's hard for a lot of people getting up each day to hear this vengeance news about the Felon's Administration, but as the saying goes . . . this, too will pass. Thank you, Jon. My best, James
Excellent piece of writing, and good analysis that is helpful and yes, hopeful! Let's hope he, and the Catholics like him who believe in and follow Jesus teachings to love all our fellow humans, will be counter balance to the current evil running amok in this country.
Hi Elliot, I found this edition if Through the Fog to be refreshing in that you do recognize the complexities facing us all - including the Catholic Church. It’s entirely possible the Cardinals chose Prevost as a rebuke to the excesses of not Trump alone, but Netanyahu, Putin, Orban, and the other autocrats whose disregard for human suffering and the rule of law have brought the world to its current frightening state. It’s equally possible they chose him because he’s a centrist who can build bridges between the conservatives and the liberals among the College of Cardinals. We will never know, and what matters now is to watch and see what unfolds. Meanwhile we here in the USA (not “America,” as you and others have pointed out) who want the rule of law, integrity, and equal access to resources for all have to be actively involved in opposing the administration. We have to vote, and educate others about the necessity of voting.
Dear Elliot,
Once again your wise and sensitive counsel lifts my spirits. Thank you for taking the time and responding so beautifully to the impulse to share.
Well said
A God of Hope! Hopefully a Pope of Hope too.
Thank you Elliot for yet another thoughtful, and HOPEFUL, posting. The Spanish philosopher Miguel de Unamuno is often quoted as saying, "Life is doubt, and faith without doubt is nothing but death". Our present "leaders" evince no doubt about anything they think, say and do.
Elliot, Thank you for your "like" of my "like" of your "A Pope of Hope? - A message from Rome" piece.
I'm getting confused already with all this "liking" business.
Technology is "neutral" ...
Years ago Marshall McLuhan (among others) posited that, "The Medium Is the Message". Steve Bannon (among others) got that (otherwise "neutral") insight, exploited and ran with it full tilt. (See David Brooks' 7/21/24 "New Yorker" Bannon interview.)
From out here in the "Outer Lands" of SF,
Don Buckter
P.S. Today I booked passage and lodging for the "United for Veterans. Unite for America" gathering on June 6 in DC.
Since I am a nontheist, I have little interest in other religions, but I greatly admired Pope Francis for his humanity, and Pope Leo seems to be cut of the same cloth.
I’m a cultural Catholic. That means I was raised that way but not a practitioner and abhor the patriarchy. I admit to liking Pope Francis very much because he walked the talk. Having said all that, I find all this riffing on Pope Leo and his future “impacts” on the world to be tiresome, another creation of the news media to try to keep our attention.
I do hope that the rest of the world realizes that so many Americans are deeply disturbed, offended and outraged by what is happening here…that we haven’t all sold our souls to greed, corruption and power. And I do hope that those of us who possess a moral compass will rally behind a message of justice and love. May the new pope help codify those efforts.
This is a wait-and-see. Just like the American voter, it is a wait-and-see.
Those of us who are agnostic or atheist about religion and politics, well, it is a wait-and-see.
In the meantime, to the American voter, keep up your courage, you could effect change at the midterm.
Very solid observations and poignant questions to pose. Thank-you Elliot!
I love our new “American” - North or South- Pope ! And I wish he had spoken English in his first address from the balcony along with Italian and Spanish. There are millions of English speaking Catholics and we would have loved it. As a ex Catholic who predates Vatican 2 I have seen and appreciate the changes from my childhood church. It is a far better church today ! Those who yearn for the Latin Mass are just fooling themselves. It was just plain boring ! They just want to hide away in their special mass and feel “special”. Their prayers are somehow more holy, more traditional. Jesus spoke Aramaic, Latin was the language of the Mass after Constantine. Let us just rejoice in this new Pope and pray for him as he confronts old problems.
Joan, nice comment. I always scratched my head when Catholics wanted the Latin Mass back again. Most Catholics don't understand the Latin language, and you'd think they would be happy hearing the Mass in English, like me. My best, James
what always impressed me with the Latin Mass was that no matter where you went in the world, if there was a Mass, you could follow along in your Missal. You knew where you were at all times. You didn't have to understand the words to feel the effects. I could have gone to Spain or Germany or Japan, and the priest would be using a language I could follow along with in my Missal.
I am no longer catholic, but my roots are. and that stays with you forever...seeing an american Pope is incredibly satisfying. It also balances out the horror of our President. I also do not expect to outlive him, seeing as he is 11 years my junior. that's strangely reassuring.
Thank you for this. I, too, see the new Pope Leo IV as a hopeful way shower. I am not a Catholic but also have found the process of his selection deeply meaningful. Thank you for putting it all into affirming words.