Pope Francis SJ

Pope Wrestles Mania, Disappoints Some

With my post about the Pope Francis interview the other day, in the aftermath of that interview, we see people picking up their toys to go home and saying things like “the pope doesn’t support this so I give up.” Or, see for example this article from Rorate Coeli blog (FAIR WARNING: the melodrama and…

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A bright orange background with bold black text explaining a removed parody image of Pope Francis due to copyright issues. A warning sign is present at the bottom, with a black and yellow color scheme. The text discusses fair use laws and licensing fees for parody content.

Francis, the object of Modern Tribalism

If you aren’t laughing at the idiots all fighting amongst themselves in reaction to Pope Francis’s interview, yet, then I hope this post will give you a perch from which you can start to laugh with me.  Yes, I was irritated at first, rightly so, but as I think it over, I’m finding a lot…

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A gray military bomber aircraft flying low over a desert landscape, dropping multiple bombs. The sky is clear and the terrain is barren with sparse vegetation.

Just War is An Act of Charity

I recently had a brief exchange with a friend over the Obama Administration’s posture towards Syria and the recent words of Pope Francis at his Sunday Angelus where he echoed the words of his predecessor Pope Paul VI, “War never again!”  My friend who is an astute and brilliant attorney, was dissatisfied with the pope’s…

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A person dressed in white papal robes kneels at an ornate altar with gold candelabras and intricate decorations. The setting is richly adorned with yellow and red patterns, indicative of a Catholic church interior.

Why People Don’t Get Pope Francis: He’s Too Traditional

I will admit to an immediate apprehension when the media takes an especial liking to a particular Catholic bishop or even the pope.  I am even more apprehensive when I see a prelate “ham it up” for the cameras, never miss an opportunity to speak to some media outlet, or look like he is taking…

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Pope Francis in white robes waving with a group of people in red and black hats, likely Swiss Guards. Text reads: "This is AI - you can tell by the weird hand. Is he making [OKAY] sign or waving? It gives you the impression that this bishop in white."

No Holiness In Dissension From the Pope

Recent days have seen much media attention focused upon the words and person of the Holy Father, Pope Francis.  Not a little bit of this commentary has been disconcerting, not only from those who would twist his words to fit a secular agenda, but also from those who are supposedly faithful but seem to want…

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Three copies of Bellarmine Forum Magazine Vol III, Issue 2 with text about Pope Benedict XVI and the legacy of Vatican II. The cover features a title "The Public Face of Vatican II: Change" and an order prompt. Mainly black text on white background with a green header."

Magazine – The Public Face of Vatican II: Change

The Summer 2013 Volume III, Issue 2 is out in the wild! Continuing our theme for the Year of Faith, where Pope Benedict XVI has given us a tool to unravel the false reforms conducted “in the spirit of Vatican II.”  Our focus is on the goal of the Year of Faith:  A true renewal of…

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A statue of the Virgin Mary in a white robe and veil, holding a heart with flames above it. The statue is depicted in soft lighting, emphasizing Catholic themes of devotion and love.

Our Lady of Fatima and Two Humble Priests

Having learned of Pope Francis’s desire to entrust his Pontificate to Our Lady of Fatima, I decided to settle down to the famous Fatima documentary from the mid-1980s narrated by Ricardo Montelban. Besides enjoying the suave and debonair devout Catholic and proprietor of TV’s Fantasy Island, something struck me in this documentary about Our Lady’s message to…

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A statue of a robed figure in light beige stone, holding an open book with text "AD MAJOREM DEI GLORIAM," in a Catholic church setting. The figure has one arm raised, suggesting inspiration or preaching."

Francis, Ignatius, and Reform

The first indication that the Church had a new Successor of St. Peter came to the Jesuit community at the Gregorian University during its weekly community Mass. As the main celebrant Fr. Javier López was preparing the gifts, a cell phone rang among the concelebrants and within a few seconds the bells of Rome could…

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Black and white portrait of an elderly man wearing glasses, papal attire including a skullcap (zucchetto) and collar. He appears to be smiling gently, conveying a serene expression.

The Plan of this Pontificate: The Standard of Christ

It is fitting that the Holy Father’s Mass of Inauguration will be offered on the Solemnity of St. Joseph, Patron of the Universal Church, as the Holy Father has indicated his great devotion to St. Joseph. Indeed, the first days of his Pontificate have also shown his tender and devoted love for Our Blessed Lady,…

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A bright orange background with bold black text explaining a removed parody image of Pope Francis due to copyright issues. A warning sign is present at the bottom, with a black and yellow color scheme. The text discusses fair use laws and licensing fees for parody content.

Pope to have Greek at Mass, keeps St Joseph readings, and continues St. John the Baptist theme

Words circulating the internets today have yielded some information about Pope Francis, SJ’s installation Mass tomorrow. He is whacking the offertory procession. Thanks be to God, I say. Unless people are bringing livestock and candles and rugs, I don’t see a point to this glamorization of lay people at the liturgy. The people should be…

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