Pope Francis SJ

Pope Francis’s 44th Anniversary

Pope Francis was ordained on 13 December 1969. Even though there is a lot of talk about today being the third Friday the 13th this year (2013), it marks his 44th anniversary as a priest, and his ninth month as Pope – recall he became Pope on 13 March 2013. Ad multos annos!

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A golden reliquary with ornate decorations and a relic of a hand, likely from Catholic tradition. The intricate design features floral patterns and gemstones.

The Strength of His Arm

Every time I’ve been to Rome, I’ve always made a point to visit the Church of the Gesu. Perhaps the best example of baroque art and architecture in the world, it is a monument to a triumphant Church confident in the truths of the Creed and in the Kingship of her Lord. It appeals to the senses…

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Text "From Under the Rubble" over a background of rough, gray and brown stones with some green moss."

From Under the Rubble…Rush to Judgment

Rush Limbaugh is mad as Hell and he’s not gonna take it anymore. But he’s not shooting at his usual targets. Of all things, Rush is mad at the Pope. That’s Pope Francis, the new guy on the block who, for all we know, might be even more popular than Rush. Megadittos, Papa Francesco! It…

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Pope Francis: no disposable people

Thank God! I love this quote as it is nearly verbatim what I’ve said for years now! Human beings are themselves considered consumer goods to be used and then discarded. We have created a “disposable” culture which is now spreading. He’s right! He continues: It is no longer simply about exploitation and oppression, but something…

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A figure with a halo in red robes and blue garments, holding a large book, sits on clouds. Golden background with Catholic themes of divine authority and blessing.

The Feast of Christ the King (2013)

Today is the last Sunday of the liturgical year–The Feast of Christ, King of the Universe. In the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite today is celebrated the Last Sunday after Pentecost, Our Lord speaks of the end of time, of the need to beware of false Christs and false prophets, of the “abomination of desolation”…

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Pope Continues to Teach against Authoritarianism

Thanks be to God for Pope Francis! I continue to enjoy his homilies and he often has articulations of concepts that have irked me for a while. He said in his homily today (asianews.it): God save us from the “hegemonic uniformity ” of the “one line of thought” Amen. For too long I’ve been irritated about the…

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Can the Bishops even do as Peter tells them?

For the lengthy and flowery flourishes appropriate of a Papal Nuncio’s address to a pack of Bishops, there is one phrase in there that I wish would have been the only phrase: [Pope Francis’s] own deepest hope today for the pastors of the Church in America, as well as for all the pastors of the…

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A page from an old book with dense Latin text, featuring a detailed illustration of a saint or religious figure in the center. The text discusses Catholic themes and mentions various saints, including St. Augustine and St. Thomas Aquinas. The page has a yellowed, aged appearance with black ink text and illustration.

The Real Battle

Excellent piece here at the First Things Blog by William Doino on the Pope and “smoke of Satan” in the Church.  Reminiscent of our own posts, here, here, here, and here.  Throw up a prayer to St. Michael today, especially for the Holy Father and his governance of the Church.

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Front page of La Repubblica newspaper featuring Pope Francis holding a child, with headlines in Italian about the Pope's message and other news. The main color is black text on a white background with some colorful images, including Pope Francis in white robes.

A Conjecture on The Pope and The Atheist

In 1965, then Jesuit Scholastic Jorge Maria Bergoglio, S.J. was teaching high school at Colegio de la Inmaculada in Argentina.  No doubt he was aware of and took interest in the planned 31st General Congregation of the Society of Jesus.  Immediately before that convocation, Pope Paul VI gave a very specific directive to the Society of…

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Black and white illustration of a nativity scene with Mary, Joseph, baby Jesus in manger, shepherds, and angels. Animals present; one angel ascends to heaven.

“Papa” Francis and the Prodigal Son’s Brother

by Guest Author, Major Adam E. Frey Clearly, not everyone in Catholic circles is happy with our new Holy Father.  While many of the prominent Catholic journalists that I follow have expressed surprise and delight at Pope Francis’ shock-and-awe strategy of using love to bring people back to the church, I have seen a disturbing…

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