Well, we have an “American” Pope. I used quote marks for a reason. Pope Leo was born and raised in Chicago and after getting a degree in mathematics from Villanova went to Seminary in his hometown. (He has strong southern – Louisiana roots from his grandparents too) so yes, he’s ‘one of us.’ However after being ordained he was sent to Peru as a missionary and lived almost as much of his life there as in the U.S. In fact he is a duel citizen of the United States and Peru. Bluntly put he’s as American as a person can be but as much SOUTH American as NORTH American. Keep that in mind, and while you’re at it think through the implications of the fact for the first time there’s a Pope fluent in the English language.
Let’s talk about that last part right away. Prior Popes have at times learned a little English but none have had what could be called a working knowledge. ‘Lost in translation’ isn’t some abstract concept. It’s a real thing when converting something said or written in one language to another. I recall seeing an article last week suggesting that until now the Pope and the Papacy have had an element of mystery to Americans, Catholic or otherwise. Those days are over. If THIS Pope has something to say to Americans or about American policy he will say it in good ole English just like Trumpty and conservatives want. Or think they want when foreign leaders speak out. As I’ve indicated I think that could turn out to be both a good and a bad thing.
I took my time before writing about this for a reason. I wanted to see initial reactions and process my own. While I became agnostic decades ago I have deep respect for many people of faith, and not just Christianity. I was raised in a Protestant denomination but attended my share of services at St. Andrews right up until I went into the Marines at age 26. I recognize the role religion plays both in individual/family lives and society in general. I also remember the teachings of Jesus from the New Testament. That’s why I have such huge problems with Republican/conservative “Christianity.” Those issues I’ve addressed in prior posts both on Politizoom and in my years on DK. I’m not done by a long shot. However that’s not the true point I want to make.
Like his predecessor Pope Leo has views very much at odds with standard conservative positions on a variety of issues. In fact he says global climate change (the bible tasks us with preserving and protecting God’s creation as in the Earth) is the most pressing moral imperative. He’s also openly critical of this administration’s stance on immigration. Those aren’t his only views that have progressives cheering. So there’s that. On the flip side however there is no indication, none at all the new Pope will advance certain things we’d like to see from the Catholic Church. Allowing women to become Priests, or even Deacons in their parishes? Nope. The Church sanctioning gay marriage. Again, nope. Abortion? Still a mortal sin. What I’m saying is conservatives will have their own things to cheer about. Use of the term “Moderate” (like his predecessor) has been tossed around. If you’d like to know more about him check out this overview from CBS News.
Like the late Pope Francis, Pope Leo is a mixed bag on issues front and center in this country’s culture wars. More importantly as I noted earlier he’s not merely fluent in English, it’s his native language. His role is to be the spiritual leader of a huge branch of one of the world’s major religions. None of the other major monotheistic religions have such a huge segment that answers to a single leader. That give Pope’s political influence whether they want it or not.
The Catholic Church has a long history of engaging in political and world affairs, and not always blemish free. Think some of the collaboration with the Axis powers during WWII (Rome is in Italy and Mussolini was someone even a Pope would fear) for example. Even as a senior citizen I’m startled by continuing to encounter people who don’t know Vatican City is an actual country. It might be small (the smallest in physical size in fact) but it’s got full recognition and diplomatic status with the United Nations and the Pope is a bona fide Head of State! Any leader(s) in any country with a large chunk of Catholics ignores this at their peril.
I’d love to see a Pope that makes a point of being as open and welcoming of ALL people as we are taught in the New Testament Jesus was. When you consider ALL the Apostles and Mary too had their own Gospels written down eventually the role of women Jesus envisioned isn’t reflected in the church Peter, known as the first Pope established. He was it seems rather sexist in fact but that’s a way longer discussion. But the fact is, Jesus never, even in the four Gospels we see in our bibles or in other chapters of the New Testament addressed things like homosexuality and abortion.
Remember what I said about this Pope having spent almost half his priesthood in South America’s Peru? He was raised by devout, “old school” Catholic parents and spent the bulk of his life serving in places where certain social issues tearing at the fabric of the U.S. lean towards old-school Catholic doctrine. When you think about it, it’s surprising this Pope is what one could credibly argue as moderate. In that sense the U.S. part of his American roots is showing. Most of us have things where we lean progressive on some things and conservative on others. Hell, I’m extremely liberal but on a couple of things fellow liberals give me side-eye. Some (old-school) ultra conservatives I know get the same from their pals for having progressive views on a couple of things!
My point is that I think as far as Pope’s go the last one was about as good as a progressive could hope for. And starting with John-Paul who the Cardinals picked because of belief in the need for a “Pastoral Pope” there are ever so slow changes that might be afoot. But the pace is, if not glacial then slow. Like our Democratic Republic moving towards the “more perfect union” as stated in the Preamble of our Constitution has proceeded in fits and starts with setbacks along the way. However, in the battle between those (both individuals and bishops) who want to go back to things being like they were fifty or sixty years ago and evolving to meet the needs of the world we all live in I see a trend. Towards slowly evolving.
I used the word ‘trend’ earlier. I think the rapid selection of Pope Leo was no accident. I’ve heard pundits say to some extent Francis would have loved to see the man we now call Pope Leo succeed him. Francis actually took steps to increase the odds someone who shared much of his vision for the church would succeed him. He named a lot of the Cardinals who took part in this latest Conclave. And he increased the number of Cardinals! One could make a case he stacked the deck so to speak. Look for Pope Leo to appoint similar Cardinals which increases the chances of this slightly moderating trend.
However my focus here is not just Catholics in the U.S. but our politics. Both liberals and progressives will I predict at times be elated and at time bitterly disappointed. Especially here in the U.S. For people in this country even more so because NO ONE is going to be able to make claims of ‘Well, the Pope didn’t actually say THAT, what he MEANT doesn’t quite translate. No, this one speaks a lot of languages fluently (unlike a certain first lady who only claims to) and when he talks to US, people in the U.S. he’ll do so in terms that will strike home because he’ll be clearly understood! No more ‘mystery.’ I think a lot of people and not just Catholics, having had their dream of a Pope from the U.S. might find themselves with a case of ‘Be careful what you wish for’ syndrome.
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I think the main reason that he is the first American to be elected Pope is due to the dual citizenship. I think that a strictly American domestic background may not have the exposure or understanding of third world lives that he has. Not that priests who have only lived in the US can’t have that understanding, but I’m sure it has a great depth with his lived experience.
As for the bible not mentioning abortion, I believe the book of Numbers does.
And it is pro-abortion. Something about if a man believes his wife has been unfaithful, he can give her a potion that will purge the baby from her womb (paraphrasing here)
Abortion was allowed in the Jewish faith during Jesus’ time. And assistance was even provided at the Temple! So if it was SOOOOO awful why didn’t he say anything about it? Nor his Apostles as I stated. It’s a question that makes many religious conservatives awfully uncomfortable. Just like when you point out Jesus actually warned against those who made a BFD about wearing their faith on their sleeve and “praying in public” – right before he taught the crowd what we call The Lord’s Prayer. There a more of his teachings that these so-called Christians don’t just ignore, but actively oppose both in personal life and in trying to shape public policy!
Abortion is still allowed in the Jewish faith. Definitely not encouraged, but allowed.
His English is excellent, and his Italian. Having spent the greater part of his life in Peru, we can assume he is equally fluent in Spanish. My sense is that he will be a no-nonsense pope, a unifier who will draw together people of all faiths and promote peaceful coexistence. I can’t think of a time when this is more urgently needed.
One other thing: when natural leaders enter a venue they fill the room, not with themselves, but with the common spirit of everyone there. When others enter they suck the spirit out of the room. It’s all about them. Pope Leo seems to be the former kind, and the latter we all know.
If I’m not mistaken he’s fluent in at least five languages. To some folks Latin might not count but it’s still used at times in Mass, and is the basis of a lot of law and relevant in surprising ways including medical stuff. And I keep bumping on his having a math degree. A scientific discipline which no doubt informs his openness on issues like climate change. In a sense he speaks the language of science. Once again I’m reminded of a line that stuck out when I was young and read The Exorcist. When the mom got an accounting from Father Karris of the breadth of his education he responded “We don’t take vows of MENTAL poverty!”