Pope Francis

[lijrobert]

I think of myself as an fairly left leaning, atheist/ignostic person, but I really like the new pope. He is approaching the world and his faith in quite a different way, so much so in fact he is the New York Times's person of the year. That said, I want to get some other opinions from other people.
Thoughts?

[Tarannosaurus]

He's doing better than the previous popes anyway and trying to bring the church into the 21st century. I like that he spends less money. He has spoken about women's rights, although he has said that women will never have leadership roles in the church. Still he's a definite improvement.

[LouBerry]

Pretty much what she said. I think he's pretty great. I'm not Catholic, but I am a Christian, and I'm not altogether ashamed to share a religion with him, which is typically difficult to say. I think he's a very humble and genuine person, and I can definitely respect him for that.

[saea97]

I think many of Benedict XVI's words and deeds were extremely damaging to modern perceptions of the Church, and Francis certainly seems to be a much humbler, kinder man keen on righting wrongs.

[Cygnus]

This guy is the best, he is the prove that Argentinians CAN be humble :P but seriously, he is so flexible and so morally correct that its incredible, this is the best pope ever.

[tovaris]

Carismatic like Nehru. But he didnt wish mery cristmas in more languages like his predicesers, only in italian....
Only time will tel what role will this political figure have on world diplomacy.

[Walter Powers]

He's alienating many American Catholics. I read an article that classified him as the Vatican's Obama, and my friend who was a Catholic agreed. Bill O Reily, who's probably the most influential Catholic in our media, also is a critic. In addition, Pope Francis has repeatedly attacked America's economic freedom.

Something is wrong when the people who like him the most are non believers!

I have to say that it's interesting how the media seems to ignore his stances on homosexuality because he is such a leftist on other issues. He may be a socialist, but he still views homosexuality as sinful and disagrees with gay marriage. It's obvious here how they are attempting to further the "progressive" agenda.

[Sph2015]

American Catholic here, and I absolutely adore Pope Francis.

Why is he so great? He's actually following the teachings of the church. He's a great example of what all Catholics should strive to be.

Alienating American Catholics? I have not met one person who does not love pope Francis. I just recently attended the National Catholic Youth conference with over 20,000 Catholics from across the United States, and everyone was thrilled about Pope Francis. I don't know why you wouldn't be.

The Obama of the Vatican? Seriously? The Papacy and Presidency are very different roles buddy.

As for gay marriage, a pope will never support Catholic gay marriages, and I stand by that. The entire purpose of a Catholic marriage is to have children. Since it is not natural for two men or two women to have a child, a catholic marriage would be impossible. However, I certainly support legalized gay marriage. In a legal sense, though. Not in the religious sense. Catholic marriages exist to produce children, that's the bottom line. If a man and a woman plan to marry and not have children, they too should refrain from a Catholic marriage. It's all about the kids haha.

Women leadership roles? Sisters really do a lot more than people realize. They do have quite a lot of responsibility. However, tradition has kept them out of the more notable leadership roles. Is it time for a change? Maybe. However, it doesn't bother me that Pope Francis isn't making the move. He's already doing more than expected to modernize the church.

[Stronk Serb]

He's alienating many American Catholics. I read an article that classified him as the Vatican's Obama, and my friend who was a Catholic agreed. Bill O Reily, who's probably the most influential Catholic in our media, also is a critic. In addition, Pope Francis has repeatedly attacked America's economic freedom.

Something is wrong when the people who like him the most are non believers!

I have to say that it's interesting how the media seems to ignore his stances on homosexuality because he is such a leftist on other issues. He may be a socialist, but he still views homosexuality as sinful and disagrees with gay marriage. It's obvious here how they are attempting to further the "progressive" agenda.


I didn't know buffoons like O'Reily could be Catholic? I mean he got owned by a teenager in a debate, so he decided to start calling him names. I doubt he is the most influential American Catholic. The Pope knows that the Church has to pull it's head out it's ass and start modernizing. From a pagan's perspective, he is good. He actually follows the teachings of the Church, unlike some other Popes who screwed their daughter-nieces.

[Walter Powers]

I didn't know buffoons like O'Reily could be Catholic? I mean he got owned by a teenager in a debate, so he decided to start calling him names. I doubt he is the most influential American Catholic. The Pope knows that the Church has to pull it's head out it's ass and start modernizing. From a pagan's perspective, he is good. He actually follows the teachings of the Church, unlike some other Popes who screwed their daughter-nieces.

Regardless of your opinions on him, he runs by far the most popular cable news show in America, the O Riely Factor. He is certainly one of our most influential people of the Catholic faith.

American Catholic here, and I absolutely adore Pope Francis.

Why is he so great? He's actually following the teachings of the church. He's a great example of what all Catholics should strive to be.

Alienating American Catholics? I have not met one person who does not love pope Francis. I just recently attended the National Catholic Youth conference with over 20,000 Catholics from across the United States, and everyone was thrilled about Pope Francis. I don't know why you wouldn't be.

My friend dislikes him because he simply thinks he's wrong. Once he said that "atheists won't go to hell" or something, and then my buddy thought he was crazy.

The Obama of the Vatican? Seriously? The Papacy and Presidency are very different roles buddy.

He's spreading propaganda about "the evils of capitalism".

[lijrobert]

My friend dislikes him because he simply thinks he's wrong. Once he said that "atheists won't go to hell" or something, and then my buddy thought he was crazy.



He's spreading propaganda about "the evils of capitalism".

EDiT: Whoops, I double posted. Sorry.

This is just random, but isn't he the speaker for God according the catholicism? If this is true then what he says is the word of God and is therefore always correct.

I do agree that I would think it was crazy If the leader of my religion got up and said that even non believers go to heaven. Isn't belief the basic requirement to go to heaven mister?

Regardless, I think his focus on helping others is much better than much better than the focuses of other popes. In my opinion, religion often makes the world a better place (even if I do think it's crazy) and Pope Francis only heightens that opinion.

His thoughts on capitalism are a bit out of place on his primarily religious agendas. I don't really know what to think about them.

[Human]

He seems pretty cool, charismatic, but it could all be an act as far as I know really.

[Something Creative]

I'm Christian, but I'm not a Catholic. Regardless, I think Pope Francis is doing a great job so far. He's staying true to the teachings of the Church, but doing his best to modernize it as much as possible at the same time.

Here's how I interpret his opinion an atheists: It doesn't matter whether or not you're a believe as long as you stick to the Christian virtues and the Ten Commandments. You don't have to do it, for the lack of a better word, consciously. If you're a good person, God will take into heaven. I think that's the point Francis was trying to get across to everyone.

As for his comments on capitalism - he should stay out of it. The Church shouldn't interfere with the government, and the other way around. I like my states secular, thank you very much.

[tovaris]

He's alienating many American Catholics. I read an article that classified him as the Vatican's Obama, and my friend who was a Catholic agreed. Bill O Reily, who's probably the most influential Catholic in our media, also is a critic. In addition, Pope Francis has repeatedly attacked America's economic freedom.

Something is wrong when the people who like him the most are non believers!

I have to say that it's interesting how the media seems to ignore his stances on homosexuality because he is such a leftist on other issues. He may be a socialist, but he still views homosexuality as sinful and disagrees with gay marriage. It's obvious here how they are attempting to further the "progressive" agenda.

And here i thaught he didnt mind gay people. Jidging from fis statement he made about them searching for got bla bla bla and that he wasnt one to judge...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RoJsKV6-e9M&feature=em-subs_digest



I do agree that I would think it was crazy If the leader of my religion got up and said that even non believers go to heaven. Isn't belief the basic requirement to go to heaven mister?
.

Actuly muslims believe that nonbelievers can go to heven if they live moral lives (morals as defined in Koran)

[Cygnus]

He's alienating many American Catholics. I read an article that classified him as the Vatican's Obama, and my friend who was a Catholic agreed. Bill O Reily, who's probably the most influential Catholic in our media, also is a critic. In addition, Pope Francis has repeatedly attacked America's economic freedom.

Something is wrong when the people who like him the most are non believers!

I have to say that it's interesting how the media seems to ignore his stances on homosexuality because he is such a leftist on other issues. He may be a socialist, but he still views homosexuality as sinful and disagrees with gay marriage. It's obvious here how they are attempting to further the "progressive" agenda.

Actually, when asked about homosexuality he once replied "Who am I to judge?", its funny cause he IS the one to judge, he actually doesn't mind gay people and does want them to be part of the church as well, but the rest of the church doesn't necessarily approve that yet. And just a note, it seems to me that you do not like him just because he attacks the US in some aspects.

[Lovelife090994]

Christian and non-Catholic here, I like the Pope. Pope Francis is so humble and kind that it seems as if he stepped out of a page of the Bible. He follows Christ's original teachings and loves all. He wants us to know that he is a pious man but a man and one who is just and honest.

I appreciate his actions and his words on the older more, "judgemental," views of many of the Catholic faith, and I appreciate how he wants to weeed out the corrupt who have tainted the Church's name. Lately I have wondered about Catholocism more but that is another topic.

[Sph2015]

My friend dislikes him because he simply thinks he's wrong. Once he said that "atheists won't go to hell" or something, and then my buddy thought he was crazy.



He's spreading propaganda about "the evils of capitalism".

1. If your friend thought that it was crazy of Pope Francis to say that, he's an ignorant Catholic. The church teaches (and this is very watered down) that if you're a good person in the end, you have a shot at heaven. If you live as a muslim your entire life, and are good, same idea. The quote below sums it up nicely.

Here's how I interpret his opinion an atheists: It doesn't matter whether or not you're a believe as long as you stick to the Christian virtues and the Ten Commandments. You don't have to do it, for the lack of a better word, consciously. If you're a good person, God will take into heaven. I think that's the point Francis was trying to get across to everyone.

2. Guess what, in the eyes of Pope Francis, American Capitalism sucks. That's because of how our poor are treated. Currently, the rich are getting richer and the poor are getting poorer, it's sad but true. Now, the way we treat the already poor is pretty shameful. That's were Pope Francis comes in. He sees catholic social teaching being violated, and he criticizes. That's it. It's completely reasonable. Does he want American Catholics to overthrow capitalism? Heck no. I'd leave the church faster than all get out if that were the case. However, he does want to point out the flaws so we can work to repair them.

[Camazotz]

I'm an ex-Catholic, but Pope Francis (http://distractify.com/people/reasons-why-pope-francis-is-the-person-of-the-year/) is easily the most genuine and caring Pope that I've ever lived through (out of three). I think it's great that he wants to ignore the political issues like abortion, contraception, and alienating gays and instead focuses on helping the poor.

... American Capitalism sucks. That's because of how our poor are treated. Currently, the rich are getting richer and the poor are getting poorer, it's sad but true. Now, the way we treat the already poor is pretty shameful. That's were Pope Francis comes in. He sees catholic social teaching being violated, and he criticizes. That's it...

Completely agree- Francis' critics are Sarah Palin, Glenn Beck, and Bill O'Reilly, among other disreputable political commentators. They make a living on criticizing people and ideas that don't cooperate with their own agendas, whereas the Pope's role in the world is to make it a better place, and he's sacrificing the luxuries that Popes have taken in the past.

I'm extremely glad that Pope Francis won Person of the Year because he's restoring credibility of the Catholic Church. I may be an atheist, but it's not like I get a kick out of criticizing the Church- the way it went about its business has just been extremely shady in the past in regards of the molestation scandals, the lack of care for the spread of AIDS in Africa by preaching against condoms, the public concern against homosexuals, among many other questionable decisions. I'm glad he's trying to bring the Church to its roots- help the needy and to give rather than take.

[sqishy]

A different viewpoint is always welcomed at first; we will see what he does.

[kylem]

I never really was a pope person because my family, being protestant but I do believe, I like the new pope, he seems pretty cool and not a up tight as the other pope's. Seriously a guy that drives his own car and has his own apartment and seems way more likeable, he' pretty cool if you can say that about a pope. And he calls it as he sees it with the catholic church and wants to clean things up with a religion that has been called out for things that we're happening that shouldn't of but was kept like all secretive and quite. This is stuff I've heard my parents saying and I kinda agree.

[JohnJack]

Pope Francis is a very humble man who is doing the church a lot of good. Although many may believe him to be an unorthodox pope what he is actually doing is bringing back things that should be characteristics of the papacy, for example, not living in immense luxury. That isn't to say he doesn't deserve some luxuries, he isn't living in a monastery, but it's nice to see him spending more time working and less time indulging in the luxuries of the papacy. His stances on doctrine are very good and he is clearly doing a good job of reforming and reinforcing the church and the catechism. Unfortunately, however, the media has taken many of his statements out of context, he is not in support of gay marriage or many of the other things the media has convinced people to think he supports. That isn't a bad thing, it's the stance of the church, it always has been and always will be.

[Emerald Dream]

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