My Priest (Episcopal) made the best crack I’ve heard so far about the new Pope. “It’s what we all wanted… An American Pope, and a southern one at that!”
As I understand it, our past two popes gave some lip service to economic justice, but the fights they picked tended to be over sexual issues. Is this more or less accurate?
This guy might reverse these priorities: he might give lip service to sexual issues, but pick fights over economic justice.
Obviously if he does, I’ll be pretty happy; but I have absolutely no idea whether there’s any validity to my analysis or substance to my hope.
I think I would couch it in different phrasing. The last two popes seemed to be in “church under attack” mode and therefore seemed to be het up by things that were running counter to Catholic theology. Kind of reacting against modernism, pushing conservatism. I don’t think I would say they were just giving lip service to economic justice, but I would agree that they were letting it take a back seat to sexual morals. Reactionary and retrenching rather than reforming.
Francis? Obviously, too early to say, but that’s what’s interesting about choosing “Francis.” That’s a bold thing, choosing that particular saint. Francis is VERY strongly associated with reform and with economic issues. And this might be far afield, but Jesuits are known as pretty willing to forge ahead into new territories rather than being bystanders. I don’t think of Jesuits as people unafraid of challenges.
So, it’s a very interesting combination. I don’t expect him to be anything less than ultra-conservative on sexual-social issues. But I do think there are some signals here that those issues aren’t going to be his focus.
Maybe he’ll be the environmental pope.
Pope Free and Clear?
I was working with a bunch of Mexican and Central American men today. You never saw such smiles as they had when the BBC announced it and had Spanish speaking spokespersons reporting. It was actually a lovely moment for them, and they are from the poorest of the poor in Mexico and Guatemala. (Which is actually why they are here working.)
Chefguy, I believe **levdrakon **is referring to St. Francis of Assis’s patronage status over ecologists.
Wait, “Pepe” stands for José – it’s “Paco”, “Papo”, “Pancho” that stand for Francisco.
So it’s Papa Papo or Papa Paco.
I thought that would have been St. Satan.
I didnt’ explain myself well. I was referring to Pope Paco’s stance.
Yeah, you are right. His birth name is Jose/Pepe, His new name is Francisco/Paco/Pancho.
Nitpick. I think you mean Pope Pancho as his name is Francis. Pepe comes from “Joseph”.
I saw several comments saying a Jesuit Pope was very surprising, and some implying that a Jesuit had been considered unthinkable.
Anyone got any insight as to what the perceived problem with a Jesuit Pope was ?
No, his birth name is Jorge.
Anyone know what the transition is like for a new pope? Does he quietly fly back to Argentina and pack up? Give away the cat and turn off the utilities? Sell his car, furniture and other things. All the normal stuff someone has to do when changing lifestyle.
Or is the new pope just sucked into the job? Some church official back in Argentina packs up his stuff and ships it to Rome?
It must be pretty overwhelming. Changing countries, life styles and even your identity at age 76. The guy that flew economy class to Rome a week ago just doesn’t exist anymore. He’s been reborn as the Pope. Heck, I bet he still needs to cash in his return ticket. 
The Society of Jesus has had centuries of bad press inside and outside of the Church. They have always been considered a bit suspicious: at the time of their founding, invoking the name of Jesus too often was ill thought of (which is where the term “Jesuit” comes from); they have always had a reputation for being intellectually slippery, even devious; and they have been accused of being overly involved in secular politics, as well as seeking power within the Church. At times (including now), the educational slant of the society has predisposed Jesuits to engage in academic debate on subjects that the Vatican has taken clear positions on (reproductive rights, gay rights, liberation theology), and the Vatican has always preferred a more united front.
Basically, they put one of those pain-in-the-ass wise guys in charge, and that used to be unthinkable.
Paco (from the foot of the statues having Pa.Co. written on them, pater comunitatis, father of the community). Pepe is for José (P.P. pater putativus, putative father).
BUT he is being crowned on St Pepe’s day.
The Jesuit Order has been dissolved twice. They have a double vow of obedience (the standard one to their hierarchical superiors within the Order and local Diocese, and a second one specific to the Pope), officially because of the political schisms of the time. The joke says it was because their founder was an argumentative smartass, the guys he was starting with were a bunch of argumentative smartasses and he knew the Order was likely to attract argumentative smartasses. People who think “because I say so!” is a good way to invite obedience aren’t fond of argumentative smartasses.
Or to put it in the context of the Dope: think of Cecil Adams in a cassock. (And I’m not being 100% flippant.)
I’m thinking that if he’s an argumentative smartass like every SJ priest I’ve known* he may actually have serious problems due to a lack of overseers. I mean, who can he be a smartass to? He’ll be feeling deprived!
- I’ve known two SJ lay brothers who weren’t argumentative smartasses; I’ve met SJ priests who were lovely, sweet, nice, kind… and willing to get into an argument on theology with God Himself.
Joke from a church weekly my mother saw in Barcelona: “we used to have a Papa - but now we’ll have both a Papa and a grand-Papa!”
I’m not sure the Dr. Strangelove glasses are the best choice for a pope who already bears a passing resemblance to Peter Sellers, but I’m not Catholic, so what do I know?
Yeah, I read he likes to do his own cooking too. Good thing Benedict took the papal household staff with him, Francis doesn’t need that stuff 