Yes, these trips are important – among other things, to remind the world that there are Christians in these places. What makes little sense is that he is pushing this one now, still – when there has been a spike in COVID cases in that area, and he had previously said he was conscious of the risk of attracting crowds and creating a super-spreader event and that he would reconsider if disease numbers went back up. He’s risking disaster
As a lifelong Catholic, I often heard the title “Supreme Pontiff” growing up attending parochial elementary & high school; however, this “Francis” panel reminds me that not all those who read and enjoy “Francis” know that “pontiff” comes from a French word that comes from a Latin word & has come to mean bishop. Essentially, “Supreme Pontiff” in the Roman Catholic hierarchy has come to mean “the first among equals,” i.e., Francis and all his predecessors is the so-called bishop of Rome and the leader of all the Roman Catholic bishops worldwide. It’s both an administrative and a theological office, the burdens of which can be wearisome and vexatious. Not everyone is up to the task, e.g., Benedict XVI and it is Benedict’s retirement that gives me a glimmer of hope in our national political chaos. Benedict’s selflessness in recognizing that he was not qualified—theologically? psychologically? emotionally? intellectually?—to be pope gives me hope that some of our political leaders will themselves acknowledge that they, too, are punching above their weight and will resign and move on. People need to have the wit and the selflessness to know that it’s time to hang it up. Is it foolish to believe that ANY of our political leaders are selfless enough to recognize their shortcomings and do what needs to be done for the people, the nation, the republic, and democracy itself?
Saint Benezet is the patron of bridge builders. In the 12th century, he built a bridge across the Rhone at Avignon, France. The bridge collapsed, but apparently nobody held this against Benezet, and he was canonized for his efforts. I’ve seen what’s left of the bridge, which is now a tourist attraction.
Pickled Pete about 3 years ago
Big fiction + bigger fiction = super fiction
dflak about 3 years ago
If the three “People of the Book” can’t get along, what hope is there for the rest of the world?
fritzoid Premium Member about 3 years ago
There’s a pun here, for those who don’t see it. “Pontiff” comes from “pontifex,” which is Latin for “bridge-builder.”
rmbdot about 3 years ago
Yes, these trips are important – among other things, to remind the world that there are Christians in these places. What makes little sense is that he is pushing this one now, still – when there has been a spike in COVID cases in that area, and he had previously said he was conscious of the risk of attracting crowds and creating a super-spreader event and that he would reconsider if disease numbers went back up. He’s risking disaster
oakie817 about 3 years ago
amen
gcarlson about 3 years ago
There was at least one Christian in Saddam Hussein’s cabinet. Blanking on his name and title.
cocavan11 about 3 years ago
As a lifelong Catholic, I often heard the title “Supreme Pontiff” growing up attending parochial elementary & high school; however, this “Francis” panel reminds me that not all those who read and enjoy “Francis” know that “pontiff” comes from a French word that comes from a Latin word & has come to mean bishop. Essentially, “Supreme Pontiff” in the Roman Catholic hierarchy has come to mean “the first among equals,” i.e., Francis and all his predecessors is the so-called bishop of Rome and the leader of all the Roman Catholic bishops worldwide. It’s both an administrative and a theological office, the burdens of which can be wearisome and vexatious. Not everyone is up to the task, e.g., Benedict XVI and it is Benedict’s retirement that gives me a glimmer of hope in our national political chaos. Benedict’s selflessness in recognizing that he was not qualified—theologically? psychologically? emotionally? intellectually?—to be pope gives me hope that some of our political leaders will themselves acknowledge that they, too, are punching above their weight and will resign and move on. People need to have the wit and the selflessness to know that it’s time to hang it up. Is it foolish to believe that ANY of our political leaders are selfless enough to recognize their shortcomings and do what needs to be done for the people, the nation, the republic, and democracy itself?
GaryCooper about 3 years ago
Saint Benezet is the patron of bridge builders. In the 12th century, he built a bridge across the Rhone at Avignon, France. The bridge collapsed, but apparently nobody held this against Benezet, and he was canonized for his efforts. I’ve seen what’s left of the bridge, which is now a tourist attraction.
MCProfessor about 3 years ago
He’s doing his best to protect one of the most beleaguered populations of Christians on earth.