Observations about our new Pope Francis I

Observations about our new Pope Francis I.By Fr. John Zuhlsdorf.

                                         "The truth shall set us free."

Here is a man who, as head of the Jesuits in Argentina, helped to stave off Liberation Theology by keeping his province under control. He lived in an apartment rather than the episcopal palace and rode public transportation. He has lived with one lung most of his life. He kept the priests of the place out of political strife. He cooked and cleaned for himself and took care of a disabled Jesuit brother. 

He is now “Francis”.

“Francis”, I thought.

I suspected that he was invoking Francis of Assisi for his simplicity and evangelical witness. But there is also Francis Xavier, the mighty Jesuit missionary.

Either way, neither saint was a pastel picture or statue. They were both as hard as nails and willing to die in their service of the Church. Think of Francis Xavier and the conversions and baptisms in Asia. Think of Francis of Assisi, who went for a face off with the Sultan during the Crusades and so impressed him that he survived with praises.

Personally, I worry about a Jesuit Pope, not because he might be Jesuitical. I suspect there are a lot of liberal, slightly Catholic Jesuits spinning this election like doomed Grimm’s figures, bizzarely working gold into straw. I worry a bit because there is an old adage that good Jesuits and good liturgical worship are almost like matter and anti-matter. Rare is the Jesuit who is also a good liturgist.

But, in the balance…. will this Pope turn back Benedict’s vision? No.

Is he going to change the Church’s teaching on homosexual sex? No.

Is he going to change the Church’s teaching on contraception? No.

Is he going the change… change… change…? No.

I suspect that, as a nearly complete outsider regarding the Roman Curia, he will begin to tred with tiny steps. But the Curia will be walking on eggshells around this unknown force in their midst. The house needs purification. I think he will undertake it, but perhaps not with heads on pikes along the Via della Conciliazione.

Related: Who’s the important one?

Hmmm....."And then shall that Wicked be revealed "the wicked one," referring to the "man of sin," and called "the wicked one" because of the eminent depravity of the system of which he was to be the head; see the notes on 2 Thessalonians 2:8.
Whom the Lord shall consume - The Lord Jesus; see the notes on Acts 1:24.
The word "consume" here - ἀναλώσει analōsei - means "to destroy;" see Galatians 5:15; Luke 9:54.
The word would be applicable to any kind of destruction.
The methods by which this will be done are immediately specified - and it is of much importance to understand them, if this refers to the papacy.
"With the spirit of his mouth." What goes out of his mouth, or what he speaks; that is, word, truth, command, or gospel - all of which he may be regarded as speaking.More here.