Pope Francis

Tomorrow, Tuesday April 22, is Earth Day: here’s what I wrote last week. Yesterday was Easter Sunday, thoughts about community.  Finally, some thoughts on immigrants on Good Friday.

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Pope Francis died overnight.  I’d like to briefly share some tiny bits and pieces from my perspective, the first from a post I wrote on March 31, 2013,  about two weeks after his election as Pontiff.  You can read that post here.

It is no secret: I was and I am a fan of this Pope.  He walked the talk, a positive example for us.

Regarding what’s ahead, for anyone interested, I’d recommend looking up the recent film “Conclave” which gives a peak behind the curtain of the process for selecting the next Pope.  It is worth your time to at least learn a little about the College of Cardinals who will be the electors.  It is said that roughly 1 1/2 billions are Catholic world-wide, perhaps one-sixth of the worlds population.  Just considering the number, it is obvious that it a population of great diversity in all ways.  The Pope is more the image of the Church, than commander.  It is an important position.

Last night, hours before I heard Pope Francis had died, I’d leafed through Francis’ autobiography which I purchased a short while ago, but have not yet read.  The cover is pictured below, copyright 2025.  It comes highly recommended.  It will be my post-Easter project.

We were at Easter Sunday Mass at Basilica yesterday. and there was no inkling that the Pope was near death.  Later in the afternoon I happened across the last in a series about Christianity and Constantine and the Catholic Church.  I wasn’t looking for it – I don’t remember for certain whether PBS or History or other channel.  But it drew me in and was informative.

In the evening news, was a still alive Pope giving a brief message to the throngs at the Vatican, and taking a last ride in the Popemobile through the crowd – something I’ve witnessed personally, one time, in 1998 with Pope John Paul II.  It was very impressive.  I think we’re seven time zones west of Rome.

This morning, before leaving home, came a photo from my brother, taken yesterday at the Cathedral in Salt Lake City.

Salt Lake City Cathedral Apr 20 2025

This is a big world and there are lots of opinions.  I think this particular Pope made a big difference by his personal example.

COMMENTS

from Jeff:  I guess i find a photo of a full  Roman Catholic cathedral in Salt Lake City kind of funny…  having lived out west for a few years and the understanding that SLC is base camp central for the LDS…one wouldnt guess that many Catholics live there…but my guess is lots of Hispanics?

response from Dick: my brother has lived in SLC for over 50 years so the place called Utah is not unknown to me.  When he sent family members this photo last night, I had to use it.  Definitely, the census numbers belong to the LDS in Utah, nonetheless it seems that the Diocese of Salt Lake City, which comprises the entire state of Utah, counts about 10% of Utah’s population as Catholic.  I have been to this Cathedral and it is close to the downtown area, and a welcoming place.

from Carol: My cousin who lives in Central Europe sent this  Crol’s Cousin April 2025] out today to I think around 70 people.  Mike teaches American history and political science at a university.  Back in Bush’s run-up to invading Iraq, Mike sent out an alarmed e-mail that really impacted me.  I think he was very reluctant to do that again – but said that some things I had forwarded him  pushed him into doing so.

from Georgine: in below comments, Georgine attached a letter from Pope Francis to American Bishops 10 Feb 2025 relating to the migrant question.  It is a powerful letter, three pages.

three comments came about the same time today from people who don’t know each other: Carol:  I’m not Catholic, of course.   But Pope Francis was the most decent, genuine, humble and impactful Pope of my lifetime.  I love it that he hung on until after Easter.  Almost like he had some final business to take care of.  Flo: Thanks for sharing your views on Pope Francis. He had many positive beliefs, but I am still saddened by the Catholic Church’s view of women. Carter and I joined the United Methodist Church when we moved to Park Rapids in 1974.  Three years ago Carter decided to live his faith at Skunk Lake. I like it there too, but continue to attend services at Riverside UMC, walking there from home when the weather is good or otherwise getting rides to and from church by Carter or friends.   Peggy and Dale: out of the blue a comment from one of them, they attend what would be considered a ‘lefty’ Catholic Church, and were noting that their kids were raised Catholic but unchurched and that the hometown pastor where she grew up in very conservative in point of view.

The takeaway from myself, a lifelong Catholic: nothing that was said was unusual to me.  The church, regardless of what one thinks of it, is huge, and what is even more important is a creature of endless diversity which commenters try to interpret to others.  For myself, who often is ‘in the pew’ I see the diversity every time I’m in my church, which is very large.  For me, Francis gift to everyone was his ability to set a positive tone for all of us, regardless of where we are at on our own personal journey..

from Ellen:  He is a vibrant part of our human tapestry. I have gained a much clearer warmer understanding of our soul and everyone’s essence since Gary died. He and Mom were quintessentially Catholics. Gary called himself a Recovering Catholic. I am completely fascinated by the number of Catholics that I come accross. I have found my sense of belonging in Al-Anon, the 12 Steps and near death experiences. Quantum physics is also part of my tapestry. And of course the base beliefs of Catholisim.

He was a fine human being.