Pope Francis, a conservative man of contrasts

By Catholic Online (NEWS CONSORTIUM)
3/14/2013
Catholic Online (www.catholic.org)

Pope Francis is no stanger to the poor.

Pope Francis is a staunch traditionalist whose reputation for defending the poor and disadvantaged is legendary in Latin America. In addition to strong conservative values, he has also spoken in defense of single mothers and their children.

Pope Francis will need to adjust to Vatican living, which is more comfortable than he was used to when he lived alone in Buenos Aries.

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LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - As with any new pope, there is a honeymoon period where Catholics seek to learn anything they can about their new Holy Father. Many have been looking for someone who will reform the Vatican while upholding traditional values. In Pope Francis, hopeful Catholics may have their man.

Described by the Daily Mail as an "austere intellectual," Francis is the son of Italian immigrants who moved to Argentina before he was born. He was raised speaking both Italian and Spanish. He excelled in school, earning a degree in chemistry before becoming a priest.

A Jesuit to be precise.

The Jesuits are renown for being scholars of the Church and Francis looks to be no exception. He is an intellectual giant, yet he walks amongst the poor as a humble servant, mush like his 13th century namesake did.

In his former post, Francis spoke out against a number of issues which he perceived in Argentine society including abortion, homosexual equivalency, and euthanasia. In addition to his orthodoxy, he has long had a special vocation to serve the poor and is known for working in the slums of Buenos Aries. In those neighborhoods, he is known to the people simply as, "Father Jorge."

Francis has previously spoken out in defense of unwed mothers and in favor of the baptism of their children, even if born out of wedlock. He called priestly refusals to perform such rights "hypocritical."

He has also upheld the importance of pastoral care for survivors of divorce, as well as HIV and AIDS patients.

The humble cardinal has even taken a hard line against politicians who cave to immoral influences, and support positions that are incompatible with the faith, including abortion and homosexual equivalency. He has said such people should not be given communion.

"Father George" spent his tenure as cardinal living in a simple apartment, cooking his own meals, and using public transportation. This simple life is in stark contrast to the opulence and comfort of Vatican life. However it is through simple living that one can become closer to God, and it is hoped that Pope Francis brings a measure of reform and refreshment to a Church that need now more than in decades past, to listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit.

� 2013, Distributed by NEWS CONSORTIUM.

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Pope Benedict XVI's Prayer Intentions for January 2013
General Intention: The Faith of Christians. That in this Year of Faith Christians may deepen their knowledge of the mystery of Christ and witness joyfully to the gift of faith in him.
Missionary Intention: Middle Eastern Christians. That the Christian communities of the Middle East, often discriminated against, may receive from the Holy Spirit the strength of fidelity and perseverance.

Keywords: Pope Francis, poverty, poor, reform, lifestyle, Argentina, Buenos Aries

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1 - 6 of 6 Comments

Janusz
2 months ago
David H: Amen!
Joe
2 months ago
I wholeheartily agree with Mr. Delaney. I'm not nearly as educated as him but common sense dictates you are either a believer or you're not. You either believe the teachings of the Church or you protest them. There's no such thing as "orthodox" Catholic or "liberal" Catholic! There are more people currently in the church that disagree with it's teachings than agree with them. That makes them Protestants! Georgetown University students don't want Bishop Dolan to speak at their commencement yet invite the most anit-Catholic President I've ever seen. And it calls itself a "catholic" university?
Irma
2 months ago
Praise God he always has the last say so, thank you GOD.
JoAnn
2 months ago
Perhaps "repair" of the Church would be more fitting than "reform." Your thoughts everyone? God bless.
mike
2 months ago
VP Joe Biden will attempt to receive Holy Communion at the Papal installation Mass...HE MUST BE DENIED the sacreligious reception of Holy Communion.
David H Delaney, PhD
2 months ago
I am continually disappointed by the language used by some of your authors, particularly those posts which come from the News Consortium. Take for example this post, phrases like "staunch traditionalist" and "conservative values" do a disservice to your readers. This language serves to condition the reader in the false dichotomy of a Church of two camps in which personal taste put one into either the conservative/traditionalist camp or by inference, the liberal/progressive camp.

There is but one Church and one truth. Either one is a faithful Catholic holding in mind and action all that the Church authoritatively teaches or one has to some degree separated himself from full communion. In reading a faithful Catholic website, one might hope to avoid seeing complicity in furthering what ends up being justification for dissent from Church teaching through poor choices in terminology.

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