Pope Francis

[History505]

Do you like the actions Pope Francis has been doing to help others since 2013?

[Blue3]

Yes, of course.

My Muslim friend is also a big fan of his, says he finally knows of a Christian leader he really loves and respects, not another hypocritical Christian leader.

[DC Al Fine]

There's been tons of stuff written about his takes on Western/European issues. Does anyone know what stances he's been taking on issues in other regions? e.g. The rise of Pentecostalism in Latin America or the Chinese government's antagonistic attitude towards Christianity.

[7,052,770]

Yes  (normal)

[Enduro]

I don't really like there being a pope, but I have to admit that he's one of the better ones.

[Illiniwek]

Pope Francis has been great! I still respect Pope Benedict, but Pope Frances has been exactly the pope we needed at this time in the world.

[Zioneer]

I assume he'll have several more years as Pope, but I wonder who will replace him once he retires or dies?

[CMB222]

Pope francis has done a wonderful job as pope so far. Some Catholics think he is too liberal but I think he is really just making the Church more appealing to people thinking about joining.

[World politics is up Schmitt creek]

I don't really get why he's not responding to the dubia but I don't have any complaints otherwise. My own conversion is at least partially inspired by him. Laudato Si' is one of the most important and timely papal documents in decades.

[MyRescueKittehRocks]

Yes, of course.

My Muslim friend is also a big fan of his, says he finally knows of a Christian leader he really loves and respects, not another hypocritical Christian leader.

What about his thoughts concerning Billy Graham and other Evangelical leaders?

[RI]

I don't really get why he's not responding to the dubia but I don't have any complaints otherwise.

Probably to prevent schism. There's a strong chance that if he did clarify, it wouldn't be in the way a lot of conservatives want. His silence prevents heresy.

[Blue3]

Yes, of course.

My Muslim friend is also a big fan of his, says he finally knows of a Christian leader he really loves and respects, not another hypocritical Christian leader.

What about his thoughts concerning Billy Graham and other Evangelical leaders?

I don't think he's heard of them much (he's Canadian/Egyptian/Serbian).

[Kingpoleon]

Yes, of course.

My Muslim friend is also a big fan of his, says he finally knows of a Christian leader he really loves and respects, not another hypocritical Christian leader.

I would advise your Muslim friend to study good leaders. Perhaps an abolitionist like John Wesley. Alternatively, maybe he is one of many people who complains of that which he knows nothing about. If I said, "I know no Muslim leader I really love and respect," many would point out that maybe I should search for many or stop complaining.

[Blue3]

Yes, of course.

My Muslim friend is also a big fan of his, says he finally knows of a Christian leader he really loves and respects, not another hypocritical Christian leader.

I would advise your Muslim friend to study good leaders. Perhaps an abolitionist like John Wesley. Alternatively, maybe he is one of many people who complains of that which he knows nothing about. If I said, "I know no Muslim leader I really love and respect," many would point out that maybe I should search for many or stop complaining.

You're being unnecessarily harsh. We're talking about current leaders. He didn't see the last couple Popes and Patriarchs as leaders at all, and likes Pope Francis's openness and charity and unconventional style, saying it's finally a Christian who practices what he preaches and leads by example. This thread is about Pope Francis. I shared my Muslim friend's opinion to show something Pope Francis is doing is working. Protestantism isn't as well known in Egypt and Eastern Europe as Catholic & Orthodox Christianity are.

[Kingpoleon]

You could have explained he was Egyptian. That makes far more sense than a Muslim who has lived in America all his life.

[Blue3]

You could have explained he was Egyptian. That makes far more sense than a Muslim who has lived in America all his life.

I did.

[RosettaStoned]

I assume he'll have several more years as Pope, but I wonder who will replace him once he retires or dies?

 Probably this man: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angelo_Scola

[True Federalist (진정한 연방 주의자)]

I assume he'll have several more years as Pope, but I wonder who will replace him once he retires or dies?

 Probably this man: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angelo_Scola

Maybe if the College wants another short-termer, but I can't see him being elected as anything other than a placeholder thanks to his age.

[Green Line]

Pope Francis has been great! I still respect Pope Benedict, but Pope Frances has been exactly the pope we needed at this time in the world.

Yes. Agreed! 

[RINO Tom]

As a Lutheran, the idea of a "pope" in general creeps me out and is quite disturbing, but he doesn't seem bad for that job.

[RFayette]

As a non-Catholic, I really don't care much about what happens in Rome, but Francis is doing a pretty good job, AFAIC.

[JustinTimeCuber]

Best Pope there's been so far imo but the thing about not allowing female priests is, like, really bad-looking for *secular progressives* (and a lot of other people).

[RINO Tom]

Best Pope there's been so far imo but the thing about not allowing female priests is, like, really bad-looking for *secular progressives* (and a lot of other people).

Nothin' particularly (or, more accurately, exclusively) progressive about not being a sexist!  Our assistant pastor is a woman.

[DC Al Fine]

Reposting because I'm still curious

There's been tons of stuff written about his takes on Western/European issues. Does anyone know what stances he's been taking on issues in other regions? e.g. The rise of Pentecostalism in Latin America or the Chinese government's antagonistic attitude towards Christianity.

Anyone know about this?

[TJ in Oregon]

There's been tons of stuff written about his takes on Western/European issues. Does anyone know what stances he's been taking on issues in other regions? e.g. The rise of Pentecostalism in Latin America or the Chinese government's antagonistic attitude towards Christianity.

On the rise of Pentecostalism, Pope Francis seems to think the issue leading to it is a general disconnect between Catholic priests and the laity. That is part of his continual denouncement of "clericalism" and "rigidity". As an American (Estadounidense) his condemnations often appear like he's living on a different planet, but there are places in Latin America (I'm told anyway) where priests are treated with a near-worshipful attitude. This is a broader part of his view that the Church needs to be with the people rather than for the people.

On China, Pope Francis has generally taken the approach of trying to work with the government rather than opposing it.