Believe me, religion is the last subject I want to discuss, but the elevation of a Pope has global significance of no small magnitude. It can be a positive development, or a mysterious one.
Recaall the relationship between Ronald Reagan and Pope John Paul II. That duo truly changed the world for the better.
After a Pope who seemed to venture into rather liberal — for lack of a better term — subject areas, for instance, by blessing gay marriages, the election of Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, who took on the moniker of Pope Leo XIV, comes with a bunch of questions.
For instance, will he continue the forward reach of his predecessor, Pope Francis, or will he be more conservative? More liberal?
From what I’ve fathomed, Cardinal Prevost’s election during day two of the Vatican Conclave of Cardinals was largely a result of Church finances. The Vatican is currently $400 million arears in pensions, and is falling $100 million a year short in its ongoing finances.
Picking a savvy American might be just the elixir needed to bring the Church’s finances under control.
However, Pope Leo XIV holds dual citizenships — U.S. and Peruvian, and he has spent the past three or so decades outside of the United States, first in Peru and then in Rome.
Here come the questions and the criticism that can be controversial, so I am segueing totally from a segment by Greg Kelly on Newsmax the day the white smoke came out of St. Peter’s rooftop signaling the election of a new Pope. CYA, you know.
Kelly pored through the new Pope’s social media posts and reposts and found someone who appears to be open border, pro-immigrant, legal or otherwise, and pretty much on the left on social issues
Which brings up my question: Is Pope Leo XIV American — he was born in Chicago and went to Villanova University — or Peruvian, and as a Peruvian, is he also a Never Trumper? Popes, after all, can be very political.
One newscaster suggested that the new Pope was registered as a Republican in Chicago, but there are lots of Republicans who would love to see The Donald burned at a stake.
Anyway, watch Kelly’s analysis and draw your own conclusion. As for me, I’ll let history unfold.
PS I saw an interview on Newsmax with one of the Pope’s brothers, who admits to being a Trumpistic and also admits that his brother the Pope has countervailing viewpoints.