Most of what I've been reading about Pope Francis has been chaotic and I find it has been influencing how I think I should personally feel about him and none of it felt authentic. This was such a generous and humbling read because I realized what you wrote is how we should view everyone we read about in any kind of media and even every day people we know. I always say that I can barely understand myself sometimes so really what gives me the right to think I know anyone else. As you said, only God really knows us. I'm glad He does because He keeps me somewhat sane lol. Thank you for your charitable writing and thanking God for your beautiful brain!
Emily, I loved your reflection on Pope Francis. I have also been silent (to a certain extent) and guarded with my “opinion” of him. I can barely manage my own family, adult children included, with the twists and turns of life, let alone judge my Pontiff who has such a heavy burden on his shoulders. I can’t even comprehend it. So like you, I am praying for his soul, in thanksgiving for his service.
One thing you said many months ago (regarding the chatter around the Harrison Butker speech) really stuck with me- it was how when something happens on social media - it gets picked up and trends- and then many people take a “side” which usually follows their politics.
I pray that despite our social media age, somehow, that we can learn from our mistakes to politicize everything and instead be more thoughtful in the way we interact with others online and also in how we view our new Holy Father, whoever that may be. I’m praying for our Church at this very important time. Thank you for your post.
I just want to say, that upon his passing from this life and into the next, I was filled with gratitude for his witness and the way he had made me a better Christian through it. Early on in his papacy I decided to stop listening to people’s opinions or news bites about him and only pay attention to primary sources-his writings, full interviews, only things directly from the horses mouth if you will. And I quickly realized, I had no problems with him 🤣 (not that it would have mattered because he still would have been the pope). I realized there was no way I was holier or more Catholic than the pope and that has guided me well. I appreciate that he never made me feel completely comfortable or self assured in my own self-righteousness and always challenged me. In the end, I think his decision to be WITH the most poor and vulnerable by making daily calls to the parish in Gaza even when he was sick in the hospital and still visiting the prison on Holy Thursday show us clearly who he was and what he was about. I love you Francis.
My husband did the same thing. He’s not a social media/internet guy at at all, but read whatever our local Catholic newspaper published of Pope Francis’ writings, and whatever I happened to print out for him to read 😅 He was always struck by Pope Francis’ humility & passion for loving the other & helping the poor.
Re: #4: Yes! Bishop Varden is amazing! 🙏🏻 My husband and I also dream and pray of Bishop Varden becoming pope someday if it is God's will. This talk he gave for the McGrath Institute a few weeks ago is definitely worth a listen! https://youtu.be/kDI8lau1WnU?si=1o-zhIN6JGcvJILa
Truly your words on Pope Francis are just exactly how I have felt. I do wish I was sadder at his passing but just don’t have the emotions. I pray for him none the less and hope for a better tomorrow for our church. Clearly the Holy Spirit is on the move this Easter season and He doesn’t depend exclusively on any of us.
I’ve felt the same way. But there are some really lovely reels and videos going around that focus on his joyful times, and they’ve been really nice to watch.
Thank you for offering such clarity and a charitable perspective, Emily! The eyes of the world are on us as Catholics right now, and I am praying that we don’t miss a single opportunity to give God glory, in how we speak about Pope Francis, to draw souls to Jesus, back to Jesus, and closer to Jesus. 🩵🙏🏼
Oh my goodness! I'm thrilled that you love Bishop Varden too! The Shattering of Loneliness was life-changing for me in a way I didn't think was possible at 40 years of age... I go back and re-read the intro and other bits often. What a pope he would be... Maybe someday!
And as always, thanks for writing ☺ This was a good one!
Yes! We are hoping to pass through this summer-- I will definitely let you know! Honestly though, it's not a bad drive, we need to plan a weekend regardless. Much love!
I want to echo the compliments citing your many excellent points of balanced wisdom with this article. In effect: "who am I to judge"..., though, we still need saints to look up to for inspiration as well.
We all do well to consciously and prayerfully make an effort to not be too polarized or to engage in the dehumanizing acts of "othering" people or ideas that we are less comfortable with.
I have the Bishop Varden link open, and then I will also check out Lidwig..., and I do like lemon flavoured sugar!
I only just read this today, so I was reading it while also thinking of our new Holy Father. I, too, do not envy the position & I felt similarly to you, that it is nearly impossible to accurately judge Pope Francis’ papacy. I do have hope that the good will outweigh the bad as his papacy’s influence continues to ripple through time.
I hope people will treat Pope Leo XVI with similar grace. It has to be the most difficult job in the world, to lead the universal church here on earth.
Emily, I’m so late to this article and I’m so eager to finally dive in. I’m only partway through, but I’m confused on the numbers you’re citing for social media users. Aren’t there only 8 billion people in the world? How could there be hundreds of billions of social media users? This might seem silly or nit-picky because I think your point likely still stands, but your articles are always so accurate and I know you wouldn’t have just made that up, so I’m wondering where that data comes from.
Thank you for another nuanced article. It is a breath of fresh air. Really appreciate your calm and wise approach.
Most of what I've been reading about Pope Francis has been chaotic and I find it has been influencing how I think I should personally feel about him and none of it felt authentic. This was such a generous and humbling read because I realized what you wrote is how we should view everyone we read about in any kind of media and even every day people we know. I always say that I can barely understand myself sometimes so really what gives me the right to think I know anyone else. As you said, only God really knows us. I'm glad He does because He keeps me somewhat sane lol. Thank you for your charitable writing and thanking God for your beautiful brain!
Emily, I loved your reflection on Pope Francis. I have also been silent (to a certain extent) and guarded with my “opinion” of him. I can barely manage my own family, adult children included, with the twists and turns of life, let alone judge my Pontiff who has such a heavy burden on his shoulders. I can’t even comprehend it. So like you, I am praying for his soul, in thanksgiving for his service.
One thing you said many months ago (regarding the chatter around the Harrison Butker speech) really stuck with me- it was how when something happens on social media - it gets picked up and trends- and then many people take a “side” which usually follows their politics.
I pray that despite our social media age, somehow, that we can learn from our mistakes to politicize everything and instead be more thoughtful in the way we interact with others online and also in how we view our new Holy Father, whoever that may be. I’m praying for our Church at this very important time. Thank you for your post.
I just want to say, that upon his passing from this life and into the next, I was filled with gratitude for his witness and the way he had made me a better Christian through it. Early on in his papacy I decided to stop listening to people’s opinions or news bites about him and only pay attention to primary sources-his writings, full interviews, only things directly from the horses mouth if you will. And I quickly realized, I had no problems with him 🤣 (not that it would have mattered because he still would have been the pope). I realized there was no way I was holier or more Catholic than the pope and that has guided me well. I appreciate that he never made me feel completely comfortable or self assured in my own self-righteousness and always challenged me. In the end, I think his decision to be WITH the most poor and vulnerable by making daily calls to the parish in Gaza even when he was sick in the hospital and still visiting the prison on Holy Thursday show us clearly who he was and what he was about. I love you Francis.
My husband did the same thing. He’s not a social media/internet guy at at all, but read whatever our local Catholic newspaper published of Pope Francis’ writings, and whatever I happened to print out for him to read 😅 He was always struck by Pope Francis’ humility & passion for loving the other & helping the poor.
Re: #4: Yes! Bishop Varden is amazing! 🙏🏻 My husband and I also dream and pray of Bishop Varden becoming pope someday if it is God's will. This talk he gave for the McGrath Institute a few weeks ago is definitely worth a listen! https://youtu.be/kDI8lau1WnU?si=1o-zhIN6JGcvJILa
Truly your words on Pope Francis are just exactly how I have felt. I do wish I was sadder at his passing but just don’t have the emotions. I pray for him none the less and hope for a better tomorrow for our church. Clearly the Holy Spirit is on the move this Easter season and He doesn’t depend exclusively on any of us.
I’ve felt the same way. But there are some really lovely reels and videos going around that focus on his joyful times, and they’ve been really nice to watch.
Thank you for recommending Ludwig. It’s 💯
Pope Francis' Urbi et Orbi of April 2020 is the memory I want to pass on of his papacy to my children.
Same! It gives me chills every time I think about that moment.
Thank you for offering such clarity and a charitable perspective, Emily! The eyes of the world are on us as Catholics right now, and I am praying that we don’t miss a single opportunity to give God glory, in how we speak about Pope Francis, to draw souls to Jesus, back to Jesus, and closer to Jesus. 🩵🙏🏼
I appreciate your essay on Pope Francis. The majority of social media has turned out to be very polarizing.
Oh my goodness! I'm thrilled that you love Bishop Varden too! The Shattering of Loneliness was life-changing for me in a way I didn't think was possible at 40 years of age... I go back and re-read the intro and other bits often. What a pope he would be... Maybe someday!
And as always, thanks for writing ☺ This was a good one!
Could you and Kevin just please figure out a weekend you can come visit? We are so overdue for a catchup!
Yes! We are hoping to pass through this summer-- I will definitely let you know! Honestly though, it's not a bad drive, we need to plan a weekend regardless. Much love!
I want to echo the compliments citing your many excellent points of balanced wisdom with this article. In effect: "who am I to judge"..., though, we still need saints to look up to for inspiration as well.
We all do well to consciously and prayerfully make an effort to not be too polarized or to engage in the dehumanizing acts of "othering" people or ideas that we are less comfortable with.
I have the Bishop Varden link open, and then I will also check out Lidwig..., and I do like lemon flavoured sugar!
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you. So well put.
I only just read this today, so I was reading it while also thinking of our new Holy Father. I, too, do not envy the position & I felt similarly to you, that it is nearly impossible to accurately judge Pope Francis’ papacy. I do have hope that the good will outweigh the bad as his papacy’s influence continues to ripple through time.
I hope people will treat Pope Leo XVI with similar grace. It has to be the most difficult job in the world, to lead the universal church here on earth.
Emily, I’m so late to this article and I’m so eager to finally dive in. I’m only partway through, but I’m confused on the numbers you’re citing for social media users. Aren’t there only 8 billion people in the world? How could there be hundreds of billions of social media users? This might seem silly or nit-picky because I think your point likely still stands, but your articles are always so accurate and I know you wouldn’t have just made that up, so I’m wondering where that data comes from.
Forgive me, my husband just explained to me the existence of *hundreds of billions* of bots. OOF.