There is something very special about this man. I grew up with JPII for the most part. JP was a theatre major. He knew how to work a crowd into a frenzy. He was more than just the big show of course. The man put an end to communism almost single handedly and so much more!

Ratzinger was snoosville. And who can get behind a former Nazi youth anyhow?

But this Francis is different. He takes on the Mafia head on. He takes on the Vatican Bank. He calls cardinals and bishops out for living in fantasy land. And now, he's called me out on my attitude toward Europe's immigrants. This is significant giving my general mistrust of Islam. He is forcing me to either put up or shut up when it comes to Christian principles. I'm still slow to change but I willing to cave given his genuine compassion for others and his fidelity to the gospels. I've not felt proud about being a Roman Catholic in over 25 years or more.

This guy is the real deal. Today's speech before Congress was brilliant. Talking heads have tried to politicize his visit and positions but somehow I get the sense that he's so far from that madding crowd that those present for his speeches know he's calling the world out to be better and that his motives are altruistic and not part of some kind of political positioning.

I just hope we can keep him around for another 10 years or more. And before that I hope we can get him on that plane back to Rome in one piece.

I still find it amazing that there is no other person in the entire world who can captivate the entire world with a message like the pope can. Odd when you think about it. I wonder why that is. What is it about this position/office that commands such respect the world over? Of course I imagine most folks in India or China neither know or care about the man and his message.

Can you imagine sitting down to have a bottle of wine with this man? Wouldn't that be nice? I wonder what I would talk to him about.

He's not saying anything different to what millions of other people say. It's just the supposed moral authority of the office that lends weight to his words. I don't recognise that authority so it doesn't really do anything for me.

Sassenach wrote:He's not saying anything different to what millions of other people say. It's just the supposed moral authority of the office that lends weight to his words. I don't recognise that authority so it doesn't really do anything for me.

Yep. Of course, if he gets more Catholics to do the right thing, even for the wrong reasons, that is overall to the benefit.

He is the religious leader of hundreds of millions of people and what he says has resonance. He has a powerful critique of capitalistic culture-- too much consumption, too little compassion, too little compassion for the planet, too little compassion for refugees...too much selfishness. The Catholic Church is still a very powerful entity and now we have a pope who is compassionate and who will not be a supporter of the prevailing ideology of capitalism which is tending towards Social Darwinism.

I am not religious but he inspires non-Catholics by his compassionate nature. Religion was a bulwark at times against Communism. Perhaps it can do as well against a heartless capitalism. For many Christians to be against social programs, against illegal immigrants, ready to bomb at a moment's notice, against environmentalism, against gay marriage (against gays)...well, that's not compassion...

Perhaps, Sass, there are reasons why a lot of people do not recognize the moral authority of a pope. Perhaps some of those reasons are the behavior of his predecessors, and their failure to say, and to do, what Pope Francis has said and done?

Perhaps the fact that minority leader AND the Speaker of the House are both Catholics will somehow influence one or more changes in congressional policy at the moment?

Hmmm I stand corrected. (or perhaps not) Boehner has just resigned.

Perhaps the fact that minority leader AND the Speaker of the House are both Catholics will somehow influence one or more changes in congressional policy at the moment?

Don't bank on it.

There are loads of Anglican bishops who preach the same sort of message that Francis is pushing (in fact they're usually a lot more liberal). Everybody nods politely and then ignores them. This is a good thing in my view because the opinion of a bishop, or in this case a pope, is no more valid or worthy of respect than any other opinion. Honestly I couldn't give a damn what the pope has to say on such matters as economic policy or immigration. What the hell does he know about these things ? I'll bow to his superior wisdom in matters of theology, but that's about it.

The pope has as much moral authority as Catholics are willing to give him. In practice this usually amounts to token respect at best.

The pope has as much moral authority as Catholics are willing to give him. In practice this usually amounts to token respect at best.

Being Catholic myself, my response would have to be that you're at least "fairly inaccurate" on that one. No, we don't give him total respect due to his position. Then again, previous popes weren't Pope Francis. You cannot compare your state church to the Catholic church in the United States. Not by a long shot.

Also, you are assuming that the Pope is the sum total of the Catholic Church. Don't.

You don't live your life according to Catholic doctrine though do you ? Very few Catholics do. You listen respectfully to what the Pope has to say and then go ahead and do what you were going to do anyway.

I am just not sure you're quite getting this whole religious thing , Sass...

Gay, Republican, Catholic...seems a bit internally contradictory.

Not republican.

But as far as that being "contradictory" then you are starting to sound like D.F.! [gasp]

But I do have some "republican" views that coincide with the Catholic Church's teachings, e.g., anti-abortion (pro-life call it what you will). PS, the current pope has come out against homophobia, somewhat passively but the Church doesn't change overnight.

So, if I (or anyone) belong to an organization I have to support it 100%? Or else I am being "disrespectful"? I disagree, guys.

How many Catholics do you know? And how many Catholics do you know outside of the United Kingdom, particularly?

You said it yourself:

He's not saying anything different to what millions of other people say.

Gee, I guess millions are in lockstep with the Pope, then...

In the modern age Catholics (based on polling) have been not necessarily complied with all tenets of the religion (pre- marital sex, contraception, etc)--so you 're in a large club. And this pope is appealing in his inclusiveness. I certainly have no objection to your being Catholic. I did not mean to imply otherwise. I take back my (not so) clever observation...

No worries :)

See that's what I mean, S., about the Church being more than the Pope. He is not necessarily an almighty dictator from on high, even if the title "Holiness" or "Supreme Pontiff" or "Chair of St Peter" would seem to justify that. It justifies it...not very well in fact.