Being Nice

Pope Francis, unhappily reigning, has made another rather strong remark about the possibility that he would resign, and hinted in that way used by old men who want to be told they will live many years on his now two or three years remaining. For a twist of fate, the statement were uttered just hours before Francis was informed of a horrible tragedy within his family, with his nephew and his two very little children perished in a car accident. As I was praying for the soul of the poor deceased – for two of them paradise is assured, assuming they were baptised – I could not avoid thinking Francis must perforce see in this tragedy another sign of how uncertain our permanence on this earth is. If he believes in God – which I strongly doubt; at least if by God we mean our God – he might have felt additionally motivated to resign when he reaches Eighty and go back to his cobbler and newspaper agent in Buenos Aires.

For this, it seems that no strokes or heart attacks will be necessary, nor the reaching of 84 and the third or fourth bypass surgery. It will be enough, we are told, that he feels he is not sufficiently strong anymore.

I cannot, in conscience, hide from you my spontaneous thought at the end of this reflection.

Please, Lord, please!! The sooner, the better! Before he appoints too many atrocious Cardinals! Before he attacks Truths not only with daily nonsense, but with extraordinary Synods! Before he confuses even more Catholics, and encourages in their error even more of the others!

Here's wishing to Francis a long, happy and healthy retirement.

You see? Don't say I am not the nicest guy…

Mundabor