Hi there, my name is Tony Burgess (my friends call me T-Bird) from Chattanooga, Tennessee, USA. I am a believer, bleeding heart, idealist, and blogger. I'm married to Laura the Soup Diva and a dog dad to Frankie, Cody, and Mikey. Daily I work for a blood bank recruiting donors. My blog is where I chronicle and curate the sacred, serious, and silly things in my life. I am a member of The Episcopal Church. Thank you for connecting with me. Grace, peace, and love!
This is a fictional movie about the choosing of a new Pope in the wake of a Pope’s passing. Right now, in reality, the College of Cardinals are about to begin this process for real since Pope Francis’ death on Easter Monday. There is a lot of Vatican politics and palace intrigue in this film, as one would expect. It’s also about faith, relationships, trust, and the Catholic Church’s traditions, and rituals that guide this film.
“Conclave” features an all-star cast of Ralph Fiennes, John Lithgow, Stanley Tucci and Isabella Rossellini.
Today is the funeral of Pope Francis in Vatican City. He will be very much missed by Catholics and non-Catholics alike.
I am not Catholic, but I am a fan of The Pope and the Catholic Church. Pope Francis was priest of the people. He focused his ministry on taking care of people on the margins, the migrants, the LGBTQ person and importantly the poor. The church universal should use Francis’ example of being on the streets, ministering to the hearts and souls of people who need it most. The Catholic Church needs to continue on the track of what Francis did during his papacy. Rest in power, Pope Francis.
Good people it’s Friday. Let’s celebrate the weekend is coming and we all could use the recharge. I hope you all are doing the best you can. Love and peace to you all.
These days there is a lot of poverty in the world, and that’s a scandal when we have so many riches and resources to give to everyone. We all have to think about how we can become a little poorer.
Pope Francis, the Bishop of Rome and spiritual leader of the Catholic Church, passed away on April 21st, Easter Monday, from a stroke and heart failure. Earlier, he had been in the hospital for pneumonia. He was 88 years old. For 12 years he was Pope, and he made all those years count.
Pope Francis holds the weekly general audience, in Saint Peter’s Square at the Vatican, September 20, 2023. REUTERS/Remo Casilli
He was a Pope of the people. In his ministry he reached out to the marginalized, the immigrant, the LGBTQ community and was deeply concerned about issues of the environment and climate. Peace in Ukraine and Gaza were always on his heart and mind. He was more pastoral than some of his predecessors.
Francis, who was from Argentina, was the first Latin-America Pope ever. His life was about service and being humble. In his time at the Vatican, he lived frugally and without the bells and whistles of his office. Was he perfect, no.
He worked hard and practiced the command to love thy neighbors, and he made strides in bringing people of all walks of life together. I liked that he wanted to build bridges, not walls. He seemed to believe in building a bigger tent and to show mercy. He visited prisons, washed feet, and emulated Jesus Christ as best as he could.
His faith practice was at odds with some in the Catholic Church, but he was all about making the world a better place, no matter what his critics would say. All I can say is well done, good and faithful servant. Rest in power. You will be missed.
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