Pope Francis

Today I am grateful for Pope Francis.  I’m not Catholic, never have been, never will be and I confess that some of the stuff that happens in many religions sends me round the bend.  There probably would be world peace without religion driving most wars.

More than once I’ve shouted at the newspaper or TV regarding yet another priest sexually abusing children and the church either moving them or giving them a slight slap on the hand, letting them free to abuse again.

I’ve been angry at spending and what seemed like a lack of charity and enormous wealth being, in my opinion, miss-spent on frivolities and creature comforts for the wealthy church and not the underprivileged following flock.  Lest you Catholics think I’m picking on your church, let me remind you again that I’ve felt that way about all religions across the board from time to time.  All.  I’m probably not alone.

Then along comes Pope Francis.  I read a little.  I hear a little.  I watch a little.  This guy is amazing.  He’s real.  He’s human.  He totally practices what he preaches.  He chastises a cardinal for over spending.  Fires him.  Takes away his opulent digs.  End of discussion. He brooks no excuses for slights against the poor.  He doesn’t worry about protection for himself if it keeps him from his people. . .all people.  He’s out there, touching the actual skin of people, not just waving from a glass van.  He doesn’t want to live like a king.  He doesn’t want to be “special”, but he is!  He’s on the cover of Rolling Stone magazine for pete’s sake!  You don’t get more real than that!  There is nothing shee-shee about this guy.

By his accessibility, his honest and good old fashioned common sense, he is going to change the world.  I’m excited to watch where he goes from here.  Amen!