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Kathleen Weber's avatar

Here's a reflection on Robert Prevost that I wrote for my Substack.

Back when I was teaching undergraduates, I used to tell them that there would never be an American Pope. The reason: the UN General Secretary and the Pope are two international leaders who serve as helpful, if light, counterweights to the most powerful world leader, the President of the United States.

So why was American Robert Francis Prevost elected pope? Three good reasons:

--He is not parochial. He has spent most of his life in Peru and became a citizen of that country.

--He spent the last few years as head of the Vatican office for vetting new bishops, meaning that the cardinals of the world had come to know and trust him. Typically, cardinals nominate candidates to fill empty bishop positions in their countries, the Vatican office vets the candidates and makes a recommendation to the pope, and the pope appoints the new bishop.

--Finally, and critically, our current international landscape demands an American Pope who will act as a SANE counterbalance to Mad King Donnie. Our world needs at least one sane American in a very high place.

I am looking forward to many good things from Leo XIV. Anyone who looks down and sees friends there is fine with me.

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Hilary Day's avatar

I certainly hope this wakes up the Christians who are inexplicably also Trump supporters.

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Kathleen Weber's avatar

Some extreme Protestants still regard any Pope as the Whore of Babylon predicted in Rev 17:5.

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Susan Keefer's avatar

Trump’s minions are already denouncing Pope Leo.

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Kimberley Davidson's avatar

Including their outrage: How Dare He Not Speak English In His First Address?!!

I knew Donald would immediately consider himself the owner of the Catholic Church and the Pope's boss--and can easily see him trying to buy Rome--but honestly, and still, wow. Ugly, ugly Americans. I am almost perpetually embarrassed.

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Audrey Eve's avatar

Exactly! It must be absolutely infuriating to Trump that he has to share the limelight and attention with a man who exemplifies goodness, kindness, and fairness--traits he's incapable of emulating.

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Frances O'Halloran's avatar

I love this one

Been a lapsed Catholic gor many years,I am still hoping this Pope can bring Charity back to America.

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Rick Garland's avatar

This is a clear and inspired image. I know the Catholic church is riddled with corruption and archaic values, but an individual like Prevost, now Leo, can turn the tides even more than Francis did. To elect two progressive popes in a row is a sign to me that the global church is ready for growth and modernity. The sexual scandals are still a problem, and I can't blame anyone who chooses to leave the denomination *raises hand*, but I also can't deny the possibilities this lion can have on the world and particularly the existential threat of the USA.

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Barbara Ewart's avatar

I doubt even the Great Schism was more divided than these two. Faith vs feckless. Great illustration, MdA.👏

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Miss Molly's avatar

Trump's tie keeps getting longer. Today it struck me that it looks like blood. Hmmmm.

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Susan Keefer's avatar

Again, you nailed it Michael!

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leslyefeb's avatar

you're right, Miss Molly - that tie DOES look like blood....our world is becoming so schizoid: 2 powerful Americans exemplify what's happening today. We are living through The Hero's Journey.

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David Kingsmill's avatar

Bingo!

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Doug Sweet's avatar

Sometimes the simplest messages are the most powerful. Well done!

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Jill Shackford, M.Ed., Ph.D.'s avatar

Simply BEAUTIFUL, Mr. de Adder, a non-verbal message that is DEAFENING. Pope Leo XIV's simple messages will always be sotto voce, but firm, from the heart, spoken with a gentle smile on his face. Donald Trump's 7-decible harangues are always critical of everyone he imagines are his mortal enemies. One of them destroys people, the other respects and treats others as though they were Jesus Christ, Himself: just as He wants us all to do. It seems Cardinal Prevost always understand that. Donald Trump will never understand that. He wants to BE God.

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Joseph Randy St.Onge's avatar

Well dome MDA, as always.!!

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Mary R Manship's avatar

I love this post!

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Lisbeth Mitchell's avatar

So very true!

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Sarah Larkin's avatar

Perfect!

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Kerri Beaulieu's avatar

Michael, off topic, sorry... you have lil donnie spouting off with his mouth wide open and his inner lips exposed. In his mind donnie is an ALPHA male and approaches his wife the same way ror forgetting yet another birthday. And too, any other hapless female within reach. Is it me? I find this behavior neither appealing. appropriate nor appreciated!

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Kay-El's avatar

Agent Orange is neither appealing, appropriate and only appreciated by nitwits. I think the cartoon is spot on.

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