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.
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.
Today is a day we recognize the resurrection of Jesus, as we have done in years past. However, in light of all the chaos we are seeing in the world, perhaps it’s necessary to be mindful that extravagant and sacrificial love that was shown three days earlier was for everyone, everywhere, throughout time and memorial.
Jesus was about liberation, love, and life everlasting. Jesus was about liberation, love, and life everlasting. He also lived for and loved the immigrant, the LGBTQ person, the person working two jobs to make ends meet, the veteran with scars we cannot see, the visitors, the huddled masses yearning for freedom, the sick, the widow, the orphan, the student, and many more.
I believe that the power of Jesus is about the power of love born from sacrifice and death, which no longer has sting. It’s never been about power or privilege, it’s always about loving our neighbors as ourselves and doing it the best we can as long as we can.
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