The day after Catholics celebrate the risen Christ, Pope Francis died. The pope delivered an Easter message that would be his last to the flock.
I liked Pope Francis. I liked that he embraced the LGBTQ community and had a modern view on contraception. Pope Francis may not have officially changed Catholic doctrine on controversial issues, but he certainly opened a conversation about how tradition does not deserve to be continued just for the sake of tradition. Tradition can yield to a more modern interpretation of Catholic teachings and the Bible.
By announcing that “being homosexual is not a crime,” Pope Francis rejected the harsh criticism of the LGBTQ community by many Catholics around the world. The pope did point out that homosexual acts are a sin, he still sent a shock wave through the Church about the act of embracing homosexuals.
Without condemning contraception, Pope Francis said that Catholics don’t have the “breed like rabbits” and should practice “responsible parenting,” suggesting that practicing Catholics should be allowed to practice birth control.
Catholics who are divorced and remarried are not supposed to take Communion, but Pope Francis spoke against the general ban of allowing divorced and remarried Catholics the right to accept Communion.
Compared to past popes, who have been extremely strict, Pope Francis breathed a new spirit into the Catholic Church on controversial issues that raised questions about traditional Catholic dogma.
For those who will argue that the Church should not change to fit modern society, modern society should conform to the Church’s rulings, I suggest that considering the time in which the Bible was written it is the responsibility of the Church, or any religion, to reflect the natural evolution of humanity. It’s not that the Church is compromising to attract more members, it’s a matter of updating a document that, at best, was written about 75 years after Christ’s death. The original motives directing the writing of the Bible were responsive to the times. The fact that women hold a different place in society today is just one example of why an updated interpretation of the Bible is acceptable. Over that 75 year period, the stories could have changed to fit the agenda of those writing the Bible. It’s impossible for me to believe that the way many right-wing Christians condemn homosexuality would mirror how Jesus would act.
Pope Francis alienated many Catholics and MAGA Christians by calling out President Trump of words and actions the pope considered unChristian. Trump was always quick to retort the pope’s criticism. But President Trump did order flags flown at half-staff and will attend the funeral and Trump did post a message of sympathy on Truth Social. Politics and religion are entwined even if we promote separation of church and state.
Representing right-wing radical Christians, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene said of the death of Pope Francis that “evil is being defeated by the hand of God.” Many American Christians loathed the liberal philosophy of Pope Francis and they bashed his criticism of Trump.
It will be interesting to watch the highly-political process of Catholics choosing a new pope. And you can be sure that it is highly-political. Which pope will most represent what I believe and what can the next pope do to benefit me? These will be the motives of those lobbying for different popes. And will the new pope continue the legacy of Pope Francis - or will the new pope retrieve back to more strict Catholic doctrine? I am hoping for a continuation of the openness of Pope Francis.
