Misconceptions of the Pope and Our Church

 

As everyone already knows, we Catholics have a new pope as of Thursday afternoon. I was shocked as most were that an American born pope was elected but happy to see that he seems (on paper anyway) a lot like Pope Francis in many regards. However, I see a lot of people, especially non Catholics on the far political left, celebrating him, as they did Francis, as someone who is changing the church.

To be clear, Pope Francis and most likely Pope Leo XIV, did and will not change any of the church's core beliefs. All Pope Francis did and from what I have read about Pope Leo has said, is teach us to follow the gospels. That includes a lot of loving our fellow people around us. They did not suddenly say homosexuality is not a sin. We can still love and care about homosexuals while not condoning the act. They did not say we encourage people to break laws to enter our country illegally and cause strain upon our system of care. We are to love immigrants and welcome those that do come through legal channels. We are also supposed to treat even those that do come illegally humanely until they can be deported back to whence they came, something the current administration apparently is struggling to do. Women are still not allowed to be priests nor can priest marry but we are to welcome everyone's input into our church. 

In short, none of the core tenants that comprise the Catholic faith changed under Pope Francis nor will they likely change under Pope Leo. 

What I loved about Pope Francis and what I hope Pope Leo will do as well, is to do a lot of listening and less hating, especially of those who believe differently. Right now the world is full of divisiveness, blaming and hatred for what "others" are doing to our country, our part of the world, when instead we should be doing more listening, understanding, trying to find solutions and ways everyone can find some bit of happiness and something to love in this situation. The bitterness and vileness that fills up social media is exactly what these two popes are trying to change. 

I was beyond excited to see a man of Robert Prevost's background get elected as our next Pope to lead our church for the next number of years. I'm not expecting revolutionary changes in our teachings. I am hopeful though that others, from both political spectrums, will hear what these Popes are actually teaching and demonstrating. Maybe, just maybe, within my lifetime yet, we can once again work together and try to solve our world's problems instead of blaming the "other side" for causing them.