Tag Archives: Catholic Church

Tony's Posts

Surprise! The New Pope Is From The USA

Leave a comment

There were lots of hopefuls in the Conclave. My personal favorite was the Cardinal Tagle from the Philippines. I certainly didn’t have a Cardinal from Chicago/Peru on my radar at all. Robert Francis Prevost was chosen by the College of Cardinals as the 267th Pope, and he will go by Leo XIV. The new Pope holds a math degree from Villanova and is an Augustinian.

Most of his career was spent as a missionary, so he knows how to be among the people, like Pope Francis. It will be interesting to see what he does and how much he will emulate Francis.

I am not a Catholic, but I hold the Catholic Church in high esteem. My hope is that he will energize the faithful and inspire them to reach out to those on the margins. God be with Leo XVI.

Edgar Beltrán / The Pillar, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Tony's Posts

Conclave, A Fictional Movie About Choosing A New Pope

1 Comment

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.

Tony's Posts

Farewell Pope Francis

Leave a comment

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.

Tony's Posts

Well Done Pope Francis, Thank You!

Leave a comment

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.