I grew up Catholic. I did my time. But sometime after reaching the age of reason, I put in my retirement papers. I grew up with Popes like Paul VI, John Paul II, Benedict the Hitler youth and that first John Paul the first, who God only knows what happened to him when after smiling too much and saying the word "reform" suddenly died of a heart attack after a month in office. But then came Francis the educated Jesuit and I was thrilled that a real Catholic was in charge. Now we have Leo, the Chicago native and Sox fan, who seems to be a common-sense tough Chicago guy.
The Midwest, rural America, has a different kind of Catholic. A conservative Catholic with an excuse to be anti-poor, pro-life, anti-woman, pro death penalty, pro wealth and generally a person who'd have hollered that Jesus was a libtard. These types drove me out, and with Popes who seemed to be more about protecting pedophiles and maintaining the church's wealth, I was even more out. Some of the best people I've known have been priests, and also some of the worst people I've known have been priests. I admire them, I really do. But in protecting the bad apples, like cops do, the organization was kind of a racketeering wet dream. Christ there were times when I wanted the church indicted under RICO statutes.
But now there's Pope Leo. And Pope Leo is in a bum fight with the worst bum America has ever seen, Donald Trump. Trump, thru his crusader Sec of Defense, Pete Hegseth, and his so-called diplomatic corps, a band of bullies intent on world domination, allegedly called in the Vatican diplomats, told them to get onboard with the Iran War or there was military action they could take. Ya know the old "It'd be a shame if anything happened to your business' threat. The Avignon Papacy was mentioned, a 14th century event that included the French monarchy taking control of the Vatican because they didn't like what they were saying. Just another veiled threat from Trump's goons.
Pope Leo turned down the invitation to attend the USA's 250th birthday due to foreign policy disagreements and the fact Trump is a terrible human being. The Pope, again from Chicago, isn't afraid of Trump and his thugs. In fact, Leo could take Trump down in about 5 seconds (but then who couldn't), Leo instead will hang out with African refugees on July 4th. Cuz he's the Pope and not some charlatan like Paula White or Franklin Graham equating Trump to Jesus.
The Pentagon and other Trump sycophants deny the Mafia type threats to the Pope and the Vatican. Of course they do, but who believes them since this putrid regime hasn't told the truth like ever. Now they've threatened to send J D Vance into battle, like the Pope likes that guy. Unconfirmed reports say the Pope has no problem excommunicating the phony Vance (which would really screw up his upcoming book about converting). Vance is one of those convert Catholics who think because they took a class, know more than the Pope. These types are the worst. Converts are generally unhappy Protestants who think the Protestants acceptance of gays and trans and other liberal issues is a deal killer and want to join an organization rooted in the past. They want order and the way it was 500 years ago. No broads, no minorities, just wealthy white men dominating society like "Gawd" intended.
So go ahead JD. Talk your talk. Walk your walk. Take time out from endorsing Hungarian thumb breakers and take on the Pope. You will lose.
I have thought of returning to the church because of Francis and Leo. But being in the Midwest where the Catholics are still awful, that's not happening. Cultural Catholic yes. Church attending Catholic absolutely not.
Go Pope Go! And I'm sorry to use that antiquated Cubs chant but in this case it's justified. This fight is lopsided both intellectually and morally. Trump and his kiss asses are psychotics, the Pope is the Pope. I'd rather hang with African refugees on July 4th than a gang of jingoistic jag offs like Trump too.
In the words of Father Pierre Teilhard de Chardin
"In the end, only the truth will survive"
Goddam right
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