I am not saying that such discussion is really appropriate at this time, only that it is inevitable. As such, I have decided to get out in front of it and give my thoughts.
His recent comments on illegal immigration started a furor among those on the political right including so-called Catholics like JD Vance. If you take the Pope's comments at simple face value than you have to agree that it is true that there is no moral equivalence between the violent criminal who came to America to murder and rape and the refugee fleeing for his or her life. For the latter, the Pope brings up the ultimate example of Mary and Joseph fleeing to Egypt, with the infant Jesus.
If the point is taken at face value - that refugees are not criminals, but victims, and that not all crimes are equal - there would be nothing controversial here. However, if you apply context, this certainly seems like an attack on the American people, those on the political right in particular.
Do the people on the right have some valid concerns? Yes, when examined in the context of;
The Pope does not appear to be giving fair consideration to the reality of what America has been facing at the border and that very few of the people pouring in fit the fair definition of ''refugee''.
This papacy has certainly seemed disproportionate in it's criticism of Trump while giving the radically pro-abortion, pro-LBGTQ, soft on crime, Biden administration a complete pass.
I wish I could say it stops there but it doesn't.
While Pope Francis has cracked down hard on figures like Bishop Strickland, Bishop Vigano and (then) Father Pavone, his soft shoe approach to figures like Father James Martin, who openly promotes the gay agenda and Bishop Gregory, who refuses to deny Communion to Biden, has left many of us scratching our heads.
I personally think Pope Francis has been unfairly criticized for his attempts to reign in some of the more radical elements of the traditionalist wing, with regards to the Latin Mass but his seemingly full-throated endorsement of the climate change hysteria is certainly something I'm not on board with.
I would personally say, overall, that this is a wonderful, compassionate Pope who very often acted like Jesus with respect to humbling himself and raising up the dignity of the human person.
He often was nothing like Jesus as a communicator and left us bewildered and confused by his vague and seemingly contradictory statements or those of his underlings that he failed to correct.
There were many times this Pope had the opportunity to end a controversy with a clear and concise message and did- such as with the German Bishops, with the ideas of homosexual marriage, women priests and on the pro-life question.
On the other hand, there were times when his wording only amplified confusion. None sticks out more in my mind than the unwillingness to give a forceful condemnation to the clearly demonic events in Medjugorje. True, they were not approved as supernatural - and never will be - but the message of feel free to go there, but don't talk to the 'seers', lacked the clarity the church needs.
I personally believe that the next Pope will be among the most consequential in the history of the church because the times call for it. I believe he will forcefully and publicly condemn Medjugorje and other false revelations, will clean house with the Vatican media and will crack down harshly on pro-abortion, pro-gay politicians and their clerical enablers. I believe he will come down heavy- handedly on both the cafeteria Catholics of the left and the schismatics of the right. The result will be widespread defections from the church and a quick uptick in attacks from her enemies on all sides.
The result will be a much smaller church but one equipped for battle. The storm clouds are gathering, and it is clear that we are entering into perilous times. We are 5 years from the 2,000th anniversary of the coming of the Messiah, 8 years from the 2000th anniversary of the birth of the church, following His death and Resurrection. If you know anything about Catholic prophecy, you know that the ultimate imposter is knocking at the door.
An informed person cannot be watching world events, especially in the middle east, and not be alarmed.
Ultimately, I believe the legacy of Pope Francis will be that he was the last Pope of the preparation phase. The age of mercy, I feel is about to close. Francis was, for all his faults, a great man of mercy.
I feel what is coming is going to be harsh.
We loved you, Papa Francisco.
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