” Pope Francis appears to me to be a very humble servant of God.”
I’ve got no dog in this fight except that my wife is Catholic, but this whole humility, “servant-of-God” thing doesn’t square well when one has worked their way up the hierarchy of one of the most powerful, wealthy, often venal, organizations in the history of hard-ball Machiavellian politics, then puts down Capitalism in favor of the sort of feel-good propaganda that the Marxists always rely on.
Part of what he has been saying, is straight out of the New Testament. Sorry for massively quoting the following, but it helps to explain much:
1 Timothy Chp. 6: (NIV) These are the things you are to teach and insist on. 3 If anyone teaches otherwise and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, 4 they are conceited and understand nothing. They have an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions 5 and constant friction between people of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain.
6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. 8 But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. 9 Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.
Final Charge to Timothy
11 But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses. 13 In the sight of God, who gives life to everything, and of Christ Jesus, who while testifying before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, I charge you 14 to keep this command without spot or blame until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 which God will bring about in his own time—God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, 16 who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To him be honor and might forever. Amen.
17 Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. 18 Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. 19 In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.
20 Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to your care. Turn away from godless chatter and the opposing ideas of what is falsely called knowledge, 21 which some have professed and in so doing have departed from the faith.
Grace be with you all.
**when one has worked their way up the hierarchy of one of the most powerful, wealthy, often venal, organizations in the history of hard-ball Machiavellian politics,**
A Pope does not “work his way up the hierarchy**
The choosing of the Pope is done through the College of Cardinals at the Conclave — they are led by the Holy Spirit.
Are you saying that the Holy Spirit is wrong here? That’s a sin! An unforgiveable one, to boot!!