Pope Francis: “The Lonely Moral Voice in Today’s Politics”

The reappearance of Pope Francis in the Vatican last week holds hope for millions of Catholics that he might make more decisions on behalf of the oppressed crying from his to-do-list. Each pope has centralized his pontificate on what he and church officials working with him think the church needs desperately to address from the perspective of Gospel values. This is different for each pontificate because the pope lives, works, and leads in a culture of his time with particular needs of that culture. And, noticeably, when some needs are being addressed, others may fall to the side, a painful reality for the man chosen to be the representative of Christ to the world. With Francis we have made inroads of women in leadership roles in the Church, but two biggies remain: ordination of women deacons and ordination of women and married priests. 

Francis is a first in many ways. The first Jesuit pope. The first Argentinian though Italian in nationality. The first to live in a community setting rather than the papal apartments. The first pope from the Southern Hemisphere. It might be an understatement to say that Francis has stood firmly against nationalism, populism, disinformation, xenophobia, economic inequality and authoritarianism. He has been as David Gibson writes inThe New York Times “a leader who puts the needs and interests of others, including the least powerful ahead of his own.” He has become a prophet who “hates ideologies that hijack minds, and he hails old fashioned politics that gets stuff done,” says Gibson. He warns against propaganda “that divides the world into friends to be defended and foes to be fought.” He wondered aloud in a speech in Athens that there is currently a “retreat against democracy” and a swelling of “the siren songs of authoritarianism.” 

Recently, the Pope sent a letter to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops which, if you read between the lines, is a bit of a scolding because of the Conference’s lack of courage to stand up for those bearing the result of the administration’s policies concerning immigration and he takes issue with the Vice President’s inaccurate application of ordo amoris. (I explained this in an earlier blog, but it essentially means we should love in circles of priority. This is a concept developed by St. Augustine and accepted by St. Thomas Aquinas but under scrutiny by some theologians and dismissed by others.) The bishops finally took on some flak for initiating a lawsuit against the administration for their indiscriminate firing of persons who are immigrants employed by the many centers of Catholic Charities throughout the country. Some bishops are clearly advocates for the poor and oppressed, for example, Bishop Mark Seitz, of El Paso who feels the pulse of injustice daily in his diocese on the border and Bishop John Wester of Santa Fe whose experience with migrants and refugees continues to enlarge his ministry and advocacy. Others, like Bishop Joseph Naumann of Kansas City, Kansas who has written in favor of the activities of the administration leveraged against immigrants and commending the president, has sent mixed messages addressing the humane treatment of immigrants. Another is Bishop Robert Barron of Minnesota, who attended, by invitation, the president’s speech to Congress, and used his inflated media megaphone to praise the event as a “liturgy of democracy,” a far cry from the action of Francis who had once celebrated Mass on an altar made from the wood of refugee boats in Lampedusa, a Mediterranean island on the shores where countless refugees drowned.

Some might ask the Pope, as did the Homeland Security Czar, Tom Homan, that the Chief Shepherd should stick to church issues. But this is precisely the point. The Pope’s two critical concerns for people all over the world is attention to the climate, and to immigration. This isn’t just about America; it’s about the world. And Pope Francis has become a leader in encouraging climate change to alleviate poverty and to create immigration reform built on humane values.  That is his job. He is enlivening the Jesus of the Gospels to charge the rich to share with the poor, to inspire Christians to stand up for the oppressed, to be beacons of light that welcome the stranger. Pope Francis is challenging American politics just as John Paul II challenged Russian-dominated communist politics. We Americans approved of John Paul II’s efforts because it was removed from us even though its possible dominance could have crossed the East-West divide. We liked John Paul’s strength and his worldwide travels where millions saw him as the missionary of moral teaching. He was fighting against a philosophy which generated immense suffering, and he appealed to break down a wall so people could be free. Why do we not feel the same about Francis? I believe because the challenges he poses touch our wallets and stir our perspective on human dignity close to home. Our consciences are becoming inured to the needs of the wider world knocking on our door, our wall. We are passing the stranger on the road; Pope Francis is the Good Samaritan.

Reflection

I hope this blog was not too political for you, but how can we discuss Pope Francis without seeing where his theology and scriptural prayer runs down the folds of his garments and into the receptacle of love for all people?  I am reminded of Psalm 133 where the psalmist says: “Behold how good, and how pleasant it is, when the precious ointment upon the head runs down over the beard, the beard of Aaron, till it rolls down upon the collar of his robe…”  and the psalm continues.  Read it on your own and reflect on its meaning for these days of Lent. Ask for a conscience that welcomes the stranger. Pray for Pope Francis that he can become stronger physically and continue to be the leader we need at this time.

All quoted material came from Pope Francis Projects a Lonely Moral Voice in Today’s Politics by David Gibson The New York Times, March 16, 2025, p.8

I want to assure all of you, my readers and Anonymous Angels, that you are in my Lenten prayers and let us all pray for Pope Francis and all leaders of the Church for clarity and prophetic vision in leading us to deeper faith and love of God.