Tag Archives: pope francis

VATICAN CITY (RNS) The pope's remarks represented a departure of sorts for Francis, who has kept a relative silence on the issue as he tried to redirect the church's energies toward combating poverty and income inequality.

(RNS) In his strongest personal remarks yet on the clergy sex abuse scandal, Pope Francis on Friday asked forgiveness "for the damage" that abusive priests have inflicted on children and pledged that the Catholic Church will not "take one step backward" in addressing the crisis.

JERUSALEM (RNS) Latin Patriarch Fouad Twal told journalists that Pope Francis' pilgrimage to Jordan and the Palestinian-ruled West Bank will take place, even if the Israeli foreign ministry strike continues.

Pope Francis has put the Roman Catholic Church in a new trajectory. Pope Benedict had insisted on backing away from many of the Vatican II reforms and had rejected Liberation theology. Pope Francis has clearly been steeped in Liberation theology and it colors everything that he does.

I don't think he has directly affected my perception of the Catholic Church per se, but it certainly has improved my perceptions of the office of pope. But I guess the Catholic Church chose him...

I find it interesting that a catholic pope might feel as if he needs to defend his position in honoring priests that serve the poor.