AtticusMatlock said:

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This video always makes me smile. Filmed in 2013 - a group of nuns were recording a choir album when the white smoke appeared.

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Bird Poo said:

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FTACo88-FDT24dad said:

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Captain Pablo said:

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Furlock Bones said:

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Quo Vadis? said:

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Captain Pablo said:

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Quo Vadis? said:

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AtticusMatlock said:

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The Vatican has announced the cause of death was a stroke followed by irreversible cardiocirculatory collapse.

They have also published his requests for burial. A simple, in ground tomb in the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major, no unnecessary ornamentation.
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2025-04/pope-francis-spiritual-will-and-testament.html

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There are many many unkind yet true things that could be said about the Pope Francis papacy; however what CANNOT be said is that he preached humility and poverty while embracing all of the luxurious trappings of his office. I also give him a huge amount of respect for performing his duties in the "fighting chair" so to speak right up until the moment he died.

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I agree and I'm sure this will not come off well. I agree this Pope preached love, kindness, and humility. He walked the walk so to speak

But, just MO, there's a hell of a lot more to being the actual leader of the Catholic Church than working soup kitchens, figuratively speaking

The Pope at times has to call a spade a spade, and be a little hard-nosed at times when the clergy get out line. And this is where he failed, IMO. As an administrator, so to speak. Oh, he'd get tough with a few Bishops that didn't play the progressive game. But he was vague, ambiguous, and lax on things like the German church, speaking and acting forcefully on McCarrick until later, and sending mixed messages (at best) on a host of issues

The criticism that he constantly had to explain his meaning, or have someone "clear things up" was not unfair criticism
IMO

Basically, nothing wrong with a pastoral approach, but there's more to it

Yes there is a lot to admire, and a lot to like about Francis. May he rest in peace, and may the college be guided to make a sound decision on our next leader

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He was an absolutely terrible Pope. Now that he has passed on it is fair game to critique him. With that being said, this close to his passing probably most charitable to discuss his good.

I often wish he had never been consecrated a Bishop, and had finished his ministry as Fr Jorge, children's hospital chaplain in Buenos Aires.

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I disagree.

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You're not alone

He was very polarizing, for sure

If there was one thing we all agreed on when it came to Pope Francis, it was to disagree

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If you haven't already read this it's worth reading. Bishop Barron's take on Francis and his implicit suggestions for the conclave.

https://firstthings.com/francis-in-full/

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That's a great article from BB. Thank you for sharing.

The Pope Francis era was certainly.....weird?

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