[Brian Kopp DPM]

Maybe some clergy who want to sound nice so the world will like them ought to think about that.

I think this is Pope Francis' primary weakness. He wants everyone to like him. So he tells people what he thinks they want to hear, or what he thinks will make them like him.

That is bad enough for a priest in a small hamlet somewhere inconsequential, but it has serious repercussions when you're the Pope.

And as you said, the world likes this Pope. A lot.

"Woe to you, when all people speak well of you, for so their fathers did to the false prophets."

[Mrs. Don-o]

I was astonished at the great reviews Wem Winders' doting pope flick got on Rotten Tomatoes. I haven't seen it ---and won't --- bu apparently it's equal parts bouquet of buttercups, personal showcase and infomercial. It *does* bother me that worldlings luuuuv him, and for what reasons ("mostest enlightened, inclusive, progressive pope evah!")

Then I drop my head and think, "Oh dear Lord, please stop this Pope from doing any more harm, and help him do a little good! For Your Name's sake!"

I think it's part people-who-need-people-pleasing, and part Peron. Read this story somewhere:

One day Juan Peron, at the height of his power, took his nephew, an aspiring first-time candidate, along with his as he made his political rounds.

First he met with the leaders of the Left Wing factions. He listened carefully, revealed that he was tailoring his own action agenda to match their demands, and said, "You know, you've convinced me: you're absolutely right."

Then he met with the leaders of the Right Wing factions. He listened attentively, revealed that he was designing his political program to match their demands, and said, "You know, you've convinced me: you're absolutely right."

Then he asked his nephew what he thought. The nephew answered, "This is impossible! You agreed with proposals that were diametrically opposed to each other. What hypocrisy! It's really unacceptable!"

And Peron said, "You've convinced me. You're absolutely right."