Pope Francis is Time Mag’s Person of the Year: great choice or boring choice?

pope time mag

I’m not a Catholic, but I had a Hindu father who was educated by the Jesuits, and he loved all things Catholic. I think my dad would have loved Pope Francis. Pope Francis has taken the world by storm and he’s showing Catholics and non-Catholics alike that the Vatican leadership doesn’t have to be so… whatever Pope Benedict was. And so Pope Francis was the obvious choice for Time Magazine’s Person of the Year, despite all of the hand-wringing about how Miley Cyrus might get it. Please. Time Mag’s editors have made some blunders in the past, but they were never going to give it to Miley. So viva the Holy See!

You can read Time’s Person of the Year cover story here – they seem to have put the entire piece online, which is nice. I don’t have the time to read it right now, but I’m sure everyone with a good 20 minutes will enjoy it. I’ve actually been dying to write about Pope Francis for weeks, just because I’ve been enjoying how NOT evil he’s been in general. Some of my favorite stories:

*Pope Francis is pissing off all of the “Jesus believed in trickle-down economics” conservatives.

*Pope Francis goes out late at night to do undercover Pope-ing with the poor and homeless in Rome.

*He sends money to people who write to him.

*He used to be a bouncer.

*He called an unmarried woman to tell her personally that he would baptize her baby even though the baby was born out of wedlock.

*He’s all atheists can go to heaven if they do good works and live a good life.”

*While he doesn’t seem to be down with feminism and empowering women within the church, Francis isn’t as terribly anti-woman as his predecessor.

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Photos courtesy of Fame/Flynet, Time.

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135 Responses to “Pope Francis is Time Mag’s Person of the Year: great choice or boring choice?”

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  1. Nroth Wset says:

    Perfect choice, LOVE EM!!he makes me1na become a Catholic….

    • marie says:

      He’s great because Argentina is, in all its lowliness, an open-minded country and you can see that on the decisions he makes as a Pope.

    • Loulou says:

      Ditto. Great choice. He needs all the support and this cover helps, I think. It’s no small task to turn a Church around and focus on the needy.

    • Nancito says:

      I’m Catholic and when Pope Francis was first elected I was disappointed that the Church didn’t chose someone from Asia or Africa, so that the Church would seem more inclusive. But I love Pope Francis and his message of love and acceptance.

      • Mina says:

        Well, he’s Argentinian so you can think of him as latin/hispanic if it helps you. I know he’s of Italian descent, but then again almost all of us latin americans are of European descent.

  2. Evi says:

    For a second I was terrified that the person of the year was going to be Miley freaking Cyrus.
    I’m glad it’s Pope Francis. A far sight better than that Sith Lord Ratzinger.

  3. Frenzy says:

    Couldn’t have picked a person more deserving than him! “We must meet another doing good . But I don’t believe, Father , I am an atheist! But do good we will meet one another there!” – Pope Francis . Viva el Papa!

    • Mom2two says:

      I agree. He is a fantastic choice. I have been impressed with his papacy so far. He makes me proud to be a Catholic.

      • emmie_a says:

        I’m not Catholic and usually don’t even follow what’s going on within the religion but I have been overwhelmed with interest in Pope Francis. I read every article that mentions him, I follow him on Twitter, I seek out information on his causes… And the more I learn, the more impressed I have become. He is such an AMAZING person. The world needs more people like him.

    • Spooks says:

      He make me proud to be a Catholic, too. It helps we’re not sola fide nor sola scriptura, so we can believe atheists will go to heaven.

      I do not think past Popes were evil. Not Benedict, and especially not John Paul II.

      • Frenzy says:

        I’m a baptized Catholic and lapsed. I never renounced Catholicism but there was a time when I considered myself more spiritual than religious. And I even surprised myself when I found myself crying when Francis was proclaimed Pope! Must be a sign for me to go back into the fold….not that I left!

    • bluhare says:

      My husband’s family is Catholic; his entire education was Cathlic, he was an altar boy and all that, but he hasn’t practiced in years. He told me not too long ago that if there was anyone who would get him back in the Church, it’s this guy.

  4. LadyMTL says:

    It is an obvious choice but aside from (maybe) Edward Snowden, who else was really in the running? And please don’t tell me Miley Cyrus, lol.

    To be honest I really do like Pope Francis, and I’m not a Catholic either. He’s definitely had a major impact on how the world sees the Catholic church, and if he keeps going who knows what changes might yet happen? So yes, good – but not surprising – choice.

  5. Tx says:

    LOVE. This. Choice.

  6. blue marie says:

    They made a good choice.

    • V4Real says:

      I was about to pack my bags and get the hell out of dodge if they had chosen Miley. Good choice indeed.

  7. Dani2 says:

    I love this. He’s really changed how a lot of people view Catholicism, not mad at this at all.

  8. Bex says:

    I love it. My knee jerk reaction was “thank God it isn’t Miley”. Saved by the Pope!

  9. Catherine Anne says:

    Very well deserved.

  10. epiphany says:

    Love him! Good hearted, charismatic, serves God with humility…excellent choice.

  11. Amy Tennant says:

    Not a Catholic either (although will admit to a little pomp-and-sacrament envy), and I really like this Pope. I think it’s a perfect choice. Here’s someone who is shaking things up and making a difference on a global scale. Go Francis.

  12. Whitney says:

    I can’t help it, I really like this guy. I say that as a lasped Catholic. He gives me hope for the church.

    • ncboudicca says:

      Same here – he’s *almost* got me going back to Mass.

    • doofus says:

      I often refer to myself as a “recovering Catholic” (akin to a recovering alcoholic) as I will always identify as one but I really have issues with the Church (as an entity) that have stopped me from going to mass.

      but this guy makes me have hope for it…

      and Kaiser, you forgot to mention his “the church is too obsessed with gay marriage and birth control” comments.

      • jfer says:

        Doofus, I am 100% as you described yourself too. I’m not sure that I will ever start going back to mass but the Pope’s comments and stances on many issues have me hopeful that maybe he can truly bring Catholics into the 21st century and maybe even help stop these ridiculous attacks on women’s rights that Republicans seem so hellbent on taking away

    • feebee says:

      +1 to all 3 comments above.

      Everything that Kaiser listed plus Doofus’ addition makes him deserved of the cover. I was ready to vote for canonization after seeing the Fox talking heads explode over his trickle down comments. Anything that makes them say, “I must disagree with the Holy Father”… ha ha ha. Sure I disagreed with Benedict but not when it came to HELPING THE POOR.

    • Amanda_M87 says:

      ^ This. I hope he does something to improve the atrocities that have happened lately at Catholic hospitals though. I refuse to go to a Catholic hospital or work for one.

  13. Esmom says:

    Somehow Francis came up recently when I was out with a group of girlfriends. Many of us happen to be “post-Catholic” in our religious leanings and all generally agreed he’s been a breath of fresh air and a positive influence. Except, exactly as you pointed out, when it comes to women.

    My one friend who is a practicing (yet highly ambivalent) Catholic, says she thinks his greatest influence might be within the ranks of Catholics themselves. She said, for example, she has an elderly relative who has always been vehemently anti gay and suddenly has become much more supportive of gay rights — because when the Pope talks, the hard-core Catholics listen. So that’s a positive. And it seems as though the rest of the world is listening, too.

    We ended our discussion with talking about whether his influence is enough to make us want to go back to Catholicism…and the answer was a unanimous “no.”

  14. heebeegeebee says:

    He is so lovely. TIME made the right choice.

  15. tifzlan says:

    He kinda looks like Gru….

    • Amelia says:

      Ah great, now I’ve got an image of Pope Francis and little Catholic minions running around the Vatican doing good and getting ready for Christmas.

  16. Lucky says:

    Excellent choice! I am a practicing Catholic who has huge problems with the church and am so happy he so progressive. I hadn’t turned my back completely from the church because I felt that would be a slap in the face to my parents who are uber Catholic. Now at least we have a leader who is open to current social problems. And he’s adorable to boot!

    • Spooks says:

      I am very left liberal and a practicing Catholic and I never had the need to turn my back to the Church. Most of my friends who are believers are the same. I never thought you have to agree a 100 % to be a member.

  17. Kiddo says:

    It should have been Snowden, but the choice was better than a celebrity.

  18. allison says:

    I love this choice. He seems like a kind and loving man.

  19. Anon says:

    Yes, great choice. This man is not boring and teaches/lives the lesson that a lot of on-their-high-horse Catholics (and other religions) could take a lesson from.

    • doofus says:

      he seems to truly embrace the “what would Jesus do?” idea pretty well, unlike a LOT of other so-called Christians (I say “so-called” because so many, especially politicians who identify Christian, act in a most UN-Christian way).

  20. The Original G says:

    I think he should be nominated for sainthood, her performed a miracle and got Miley, Kim and Kanye Kardashian bumped off the list.

  21. Dimebox says:

    Great choice! He is so impressive, most of all when he is being low-key and kind. Recently he was meeting with a group of children, and one little boy hugged him, hung on him, and looked like he had found a new best friend. Pope Francis is a breath of fresh air. No red Prada slippers for him!

  22. Talie says:

    He seems to be as modern as a Pope can get for this century.

  23. lenje says:

    Well deserve! But regarding the trickle-down-effect economies, I’ve always thought it’s a Protestant thingy (and I say that as a practicing Protestant myself). Catholics – particularly the Rome Catholic – are leaning towards the left, IMO.

    • Spooks says:

      You are right, the Catholic teachings do lean towards the left.

    • videli says:

      Some American (East coast) bishops are rabid right-wingers.

      • Spooks says:

        Socially or fiscally?

      • videli says:

        Socially – it goes without saying and not likely to change. You’d have to glean from the opinions of lay activist organizations to get to their economic stance (which is basically, yay, Reagan!) or to how ambivalent they are about immigration. There’s new recent leadership though, more willing to talk about the issue of American poverty, so here’s hoping.

    • sputnik says:

      not in spain. the church were big supporters of fascist dictator franco. recently, the catholic church in spain protested at local governments funding free school meals for children, calling them chavistas. i’m from the uk and, while i violently disagree with the catholic church on many things, i don’t remember them being this right wing.at all. i really think the church has different politics in differently places and aren’t inherently right or left wing.

  24. PixieWitch says:

    GREAT CHOICE! i love this Pope!

  25. GiGi says:

    I’m not Catholic, but this Pope has already done so much to turn the Church around. He is (nearly) everything a Pope should be – kind, servant-hearted, loving and gracious. If the church were filled with people like him, what a better world we’d live in!

  26. Virgilia Coriolanus says:

    I really like what I’ve seen of the Pope so far–I’m not Catholic though. But he seems like a very humble guy, I hope he shakes things up a little (a lot) in the Church.

  27. Silver says:

    Wow!! I did not know all these things about Pope Francis. After Mr. Ratzinger alienated me and a million others, I never thought I would come to be willing to go to church next sunday ever again O_O

  28. Sarah says:

    Time Magazine was awarded “Cowards of the Decade” for not naming Snowden and Manning as Persons of the Year.

    what a wasted oppurtunity and so much credibility down the drain.

    • Bobbiesue says:

      What?!

    • Bobbiesue says:

      Put them on the cover of Rolling Stone

    • bluhare says:

      I agree that Snowden and Manning should be recognized, but Francis will be (hopefully) influencing the world for a long time. I think he’s the best choice, and I hope he gets it in the future as well.

    • bailey says:

      Oh, please Snowden? The Pope is influencing the whole world not just Catholics. He seems like a decent, humble and kind man. Finally someone who lives by his and Jesus’s words, at least from what I heard. We need more people like him in this wretched world and no wars, less poverty and suffering.

  29. Renee says:

    Love this choice! And I’m a fairly observant Jew!

  30. Mylene - Montreal says:

    at least i prefer that than Miley Cyrus

  31. lucy2 says:

    Excellent choice. I’m not Catholic and haven’t been following all the pope news, but what I have heard has really been pretty great. A return to kindness, giving, and taking care of those in need, and respect for the great variety of people and beliefs out there in the world. I think he’s doing good for humanity, not just the Catholic church.

  32. I Choose Me says:

    Like him a lot. I’m staunchly against all religious institutions but I’m good with Time’s choice. Pope Francis is a good man doing great things.

  33. mk says:

    I think this dude has done something amazing: made the black hearts of atheists like me warm up to Catholicism a little. And seriously, all it took was behaving like the Christians we read about in the Bible. Also, as a history obsessive, it warms my heart that he chose the name Francis — The patron saint of nature (more specifically, the environment) and of animals. This pope wants to speak to the whole world at the same time, using the internet! He tells capitalist a**hats what for! He represents hope in a way Mandela did and he couldn’t have gotten here one minute later.

  34. Scout says:

    He’s a badass Pope. I approve.

  35. Tiffany says:

    I know I should not say this because he is the leader of the Catholic Church but he is soooo adorable.

  36. Cecilia says:

    Excellent choice!! This man deserves it.

  37. Miss M says:

    Yeah!!!!!!! Great choice!

    I really like him and I am so glad I went to see his Mass at the Basilica di San Pietro!

  38. Moiselle says:

    The man is a breath of fresh air. I’m not Catholic or religious, but it was a wonderful moment to see him become Pope. I’d give him the award based solely on maintaining his patience when that brat kid came dancing and cavorting on stage.

  39. yeahright says:

    Yay!!

  40. good buddy says:

    He also hugged the man with boils all over his body. The one that no one would touch and he hugged him a long time!

  41. Cazzee says:

    Pope Francis is angering so many people with power with his teachings – the things he is saying are extremely subversive. He seems like a genuinely decent human being who somehow became Pope!

    I really hope he doesn’t have a ‘tragic accident’ the way the last reform pope did….fingers crossed for this guy’s health.

  42. Dommy Dearest says:

    Anyone is better than Miley!

  43. Bobbiesue says:

    Why boring? Better Snowden? Inspiring people to make a better world isn’t boring it’s IMPORTANT. He’s the best choice IMO. And, I’m not Catholic.

    • Kiddo says:

      Snowden’s impact is multinational. Although this pope seems more in touch with the common man, I don’t think that the influence is as great across the board. I appreciate what has been said about capitalism and helping others, but it will have scant effect on nations and corporations, sadly.

      • Jenny says:

        According to the most recent Pew report there are over 1.1 billion Catholics in the world. I think it is pretty clear that a Pope with more progressive ideas on both social and economic issues can have a HUGE impact across the entire globe.

      • Kiddo says:

        I wasn’t disparaging Catholics. Snowden has already had an impact. I think you misinterpreted what I was saying.

      • Jenny says:

        Sorry if my comment was ill worded. I didn’t take your comment to be disparaging to Catholics at all. I was trying to say that with that great a Catholic population it stands to reason that more progressive values could have a big impact on its billion or so observers. I don’t have the numbers, but I think it is a safe bet that a good few political leaders (although not too many in the US) and leaders of corporations are Catholic.

  44. Lucky Charm says:

    Boring? No way! Pope Francis is an excellent choice. As a Catholic, I’m very proud of the shake-up he’s given the Church. It’s about time these tea party adherents were given a mirror to look into, and it seems they very much don’t like what they see. This Pope is bringing Jesus & what he taught back into the church. I just wish all the other non-Catholic Christians would start putting Christ back into Christianity. Viva Pope Francis!!!

  45. LahdidahBaby says:

    Cool beans–I adore Pope Frankie!

  46. Janet says:

    I’m not religious, BUT POPPE FRANCIS IS AWESOME. Fake Christians suck.

    We could ALL learn a lesson from this man.

  47. Barbara says:

    Thank you…..he is such a change from previous Pope’s. A real game changer and I am not even Catholic.

  48. Janet says:

    Excellent choice. Pope Francis has been like a breath of fresh air. I may even start going to Mass again.

  49. Kaboom says:

    Cowardly choice considering Edward Snowden. Another nail in Time’s coffin.

  50. Vee says:

    Great Choice!

  51. Kathryn says:

    Religion is bullsh-t.

  52. JM says:

    Perfect choice! Pope Francis is a good man with a kind heart who loves God and follows his teachings. I’m a nonpracticing Catholic, having stopped because of issues within “the church,” but he is living our faith, setting an example I want to follow. If anyone can get my butt into a pew on Sunday morning, he can. Go Holy Father!

  53. Mo says:

    Great choice.

  54. Meg says:

    rumors that it was going to be miley made me mad, and i think time knew that would be the reaction most would have. she made news for being a no talent ‘singer’ bending over like a dog humping everything in site. that is not something to celebrate

  55. ontheraw says:

    I would never have said that he’s boring, quite the contrary. Inspiring light of change and decency, and I’m not even Catholic although I was raised as one. Good choice!

  56. Kat says:

    I’m sorry, but ‘not terribly anti-woman’ still is not good enough to me! Seriously, when you break it down what is wrong with the idea of women priests?? He can talk about equality all he likes (and I do appreciate that he has made some positive steps like including a girl in the foot washing ceremony at Easter) but at a basic level he still holds with the old boys club not wanting to let women join their ranks! Superficially he seems kind and humble but he is actually as conservative as many of his rank when it comes to women and homosexuality etc. I accept that he is holding to the teachings of the Church but I think the Church is so fundamentally flawed that at this stage I have given up on them actually progressing and becoming at all modern and enlightened. Note I mean the Church itself, I know there are a lot of progressive clergy out there doing good work

    • kibbles says:

      I agree with you 100%. It’s amazing how people can easily forgive a religious figure if they seem nice in regards to other issues but are openly against women’s rights. Would we be so forgiving if he were an open racist but forward thinking about all other issues? Seriously, being anti-women means you are against equal rights for half of all humans. This is a human rights issue. Yes, what he is saying is much more appealing than his predecessor, but that isn’t saying much. Why should the Vatican have so much political power that they can have a vote on women’s rights legislation? It’s absurd. The Catholic Church is so tainted and they desperately needed someone exactly like Pope Francis who is a great spokesperson – a public face – for a very corrupt organization. I hope Pope Francis continues to show more progress on issues concerning women because they are the majority of the world’s poor after all. Baptizing a baby born out of wedlock is a good start, but it certainly isn’t enough. The entire Vatican needs to be reformed.

    • PunkyMomma says:

      Kat, I could not have said it better. As a former Catholic, Pope Francis does seem at first glance to be an agent of change. But until women are ordained, it is still the same old story. Even then, I wouldn’t go back – the institution is rife with corruption. There is nothing to guarantee that upon the death of Francis, the next pontiff would continue any reformations instituted by Francis.

  57. ann says:

    I think he stopped another war this year which has to be the best thing about him!

  58. Snappyfish says:

    Phenomenal choice. He is wonderful. Actually seems to understand love , forgiveness & inclusion!!

  59. Jane says:

    I am Catholic and I think this Pope is the best one we’ve had in decades. But, not regarding women and the priesthood. I know the arguments of the church about why this is not to come about, but I don’t agree with them and never will.

    From Catholic catechism:

    “Only a baptized man (vir) validly receives sacred ordination.” The Lord Jesus chose men (viri) to form the college of the twelve apostles, and the apostles did the same when they chose collaborators to succeed them in their ministry. The college of bishops, with whom the priests are united in the priesthood, makes the college of the twelve an ever-present and ever-active reality until Christ’s return. The Church recognizes herself to be bound by this choice made by the Lord himself. For this reason the ordination of women is not possible.”

    IMO, this assumes that Jesus took into consideration the gender of his apostles when he picked them to the point he excluded the possibility of any women. We don’t know that for sure and we never will. The Jesus I know would consider other qualities in those that act on his behalf other than their gender. But, the Church is run by men and they will keep pointing to what is already on the books to keep from changing anything. Pope Francis is a big step in the right direction, but he still needs work.

  60. Bread and Circuses says:

    Great choice, and yeah, I love this pope. He’s a genuinely good man.

  61. Sachi says:

    Great choice. I really admire the progressive stance he has taken on many issues that would otherwise be met with outrage and refusal by many Catholics. He still lives modestly and refuses the “perks” that Popes and many priests abuse/enjoy. He has twitter and drives an old car. He continues to meet with the impoverished, imprisoned, and the sick.

    What sold me was his statement “Who am I to judge?” about someone being gay as long as the person has a good heart and good will. That ‘who am I to judge?’ is the opposite of most Christians and Catholics who take it upon themselves to scour the Bible and choose one phrase that would support their twisted views and then use it as justification as to why something is wrong and sinful.

    He has proven himself to be humble and kind but he also sticks to his principles. Is he perfect? No. Is he going to turn the Church around in just a few short years? No. Is he going to convince every Catholic to adjust their views? Probably not.

    But he and his actions are a start in what we can hope is a more progressive, accepting, tolerant, more open Roman Catholic Church. As a practicing Catholic, a Cafeteria Catholic, I think someone like Pope Francis should not be met with complaints about what he hasn’t done yet and why he hasn’t done everything that should be done within the Church and there are no big improvements yet. Instead, we should encourage him to move forward and continue preaching a better, more enlightened stance than what the previous Popes and current priests have done/are doing.

    I wish him a long and safe tenure. One of my greatest hopes is that he follows through with the plan about tackling and fighting the sexual abuse of children in the hands of priests.

    • EscapedConvent says:

      @Sachi,

      I applaud your comment & I agree. After giving up on wanting to hear any more dark age b.s from Popes, I have noticed that this Pope is aware of & cares about the world around him. If he does go out personally to work with needy, homeless people in his city, that is most of what I care to know about someone. & to say “Who am I to judge?” about gay people….well, it’s such a wonderful, profound change it makes my head spin. Now let him get caught up about women, & we’ll be cooking. I too hope he is around a long time.

  62. bailey says:

    Excellent choice, the pope seems like a decent man who actually does what is needed by a leader of a significante faith with a large following in the world. I hope many will follow hin in helping those who need it the most. Who cares about Miley Cyrus, she is a nobody in the big picture of things. Anybody can create scandal, but not too many change the world of many for the better.

  63. Nudgie says:

    Seriously? Someone ACTUALLY THOUGHT Miley Cyrus had a chance? This wasn’t “Twerker Beat” magazine…

    Pope Francis will turn out to be an invigoration of the Catholic Church and religion in general. Hopefully it will point out how evil politicians (ESPECIALLY Americans, and yes, I’m one) are and a rebirth of kindness and charity in people.

    Even Republicans.

  64. Tara says:

    Stellar choice! He makes me, however briefly, consider being catholic again.

  65. bettyrose says:

    Ugh, religion. I’m just opening with that to demonstrate I’m not concealing my perspective. Do I think he’s “THE” person of the year? Well, I’m not an exec at Time Mag who needs to earn a paycheck. But as Popes go, he’s alright by me. Did I think he’d ordain women and open his arms to the LGBT community? No, but walking the walk, doing good works, urging people to choose charity work over wealth, and baptizing the babies of “unwed” mothers, it’s all progress. He’s certainly more relevant to history than Miley Cyrus.

  66. elena says:

    I’m sorry but I’m not impressed with the choice. Granted he might be a better pope than the ones before him but that’s not much. I mean you take a cardinal with a relatively clean past, preferably from an exotic country (this time they had to choose between a black and a latino). It’s recommended that he is from a subdivision famous for its simplicity and modesty. You get rid of the old pope without much noise (a resignation would be best) and then you announce that the new pope will bring change to the church so that people know what to expect.
    Then you attack the problems one by one:
    1. The catholic church is accused of hoarding riches instead of helping people. Solution: the new pope dresses only in white without gold or jewelry. He sits on a simple chair instead of a throne. He brags that he is a follower of St. Francis of Assisi so he embraces modesty and humility. And voila! The church is no longer an evil treasure monger. Now it’s a defender and helper of the poor.
    2. The catholic church has a long history of religious intolerance and has proven numerous times that it does not understand the idea of religious freedom. Solution: the pope declares that atheists can be seen as good people as long as they do good things. Groundbreaking! There you have it. Now they are ecumenical and tolerant with everybody.
    3. The catholic church is known for its militant position against gay people and their equal rights. Solution: the pope brings back all the gay catholic tax payers and says that it’s not his right to judge them (though continually opposing the legalization of gay marriage). But hey, what’s a little hypocrisy between friends? As long as the gays give money to the church they are welcome (and as long as they don’t get married).
    4. The previous popes have continually encouraged the African populations not to use condoms although HIV/AIDS is ravaging the area (and have been responsible, together with the institution they ruled, for millions of deaths). Solution: Publicize the images and videos of a pope that kisses and washes the feet of HIV infected people. But condoms are still evil.
    5. The catholic church is accused of sexism because it does not allow priesthood for women. Solution: no, they do not allow women to be priests, but they compliment them and call them “special” without offering an alternative solution.
    6. The catholic church has covered for and protected countless of pedophile priests. Solution: hmmm…nothing. Oh, we could make sexual aggression illegal in the Vatican starting with Sept 1, 2013. Anything else? Nope, that should do it.
    All I see here is a great political power trying to distract the public’s attention away from hundreds of years of oppression, torture, discrimination by a few friendly gestures and press articles. Like throwing some crumbs from the rich church’s table and a change of furniture will somehow be enough for thousands of people tormented or abused in monasteries and churches by pedophile priests,monks or vicious nuns, or for people with HIV that could have been avoided if condoms weren’t declared evil, or for 13 year old girls who couldn’t have an abortion after rape because the church was against it, or for young gay people who were persecuted by society, or worse by their families, for the “sin” of being gay, and so on.

    I hope that people in general, and especially catholics, will not be fooled so easily nor will they be bought with a few nice but meaningless gestures and by a well planned PR campaign. The carpets on the church’s floors have become transparent and we can all see the filth that was swept under for generations. It’s time to clean up.

    • WendyNerd says:

      Thank you!

    • bailey says:

      @elena – Please before you accuse anybody including the pope of a PR campaign, learn how he lived his life before the world ever heard his name, Do a bit of research, I’m not catholic, but jewish and even I know that this man lived a very humble life for years before he became a pope. I have no problem with constructive critique, but PLEASE let’s be FAIR otherwise we are no better that the people we go after. Oh, where is fairness in this disgusting world?????????????

      • elena says:

        @bailey: I don’t see what confession/ religion has to do with a logical discussion. I myself was baptized orthodox, but this has not impeded my ability to think logically. Nor should the fact that you are jewish impede yours.
        I was not critical of cardinal Francis or his life before he became the pope. I was critical of the catholic church and the position of pope, such as it is now, which is basically a PR campaign. You did not refute my arguments, you simply stated that I misjudged him. Had you paid a little more attention maybe you would have noticed that I only discussed and critiqued his actions after he became the pope. What he was or did before that is less relevant for the discussion at hand.
        If I may ask, what was wrong with my points? Where did I state something untrue? Or did I make an error in judgement? Please enlighten me. And if you do not see this as a huge PR campaign (which it actually is) all I can say is that I envy you. I wish I could see the world as you do, but I don’t. It is what it is. Disgusting and not fair. And no amount of superficial gestures done now by the church or by the pope (whoever might hold the position for the moment) will make it less disgusting or more fair.

  67. Mhjmc says:

    Awesome Choice!! Much better than Miley!!!

  68. Josephine says:

    Good choice, but I find it a bit stunning that he can embrace atheists but not women. Too few religions recognize women as equal, and it’s absurd.

  69. WendyNerd says:

    Did anyone really think the Miley thing was really going to happen?

  70. Jackie says:

    I’m an atheist and I think he’s awesome. I obviously don’t agree with him on many things but he is a very long overdue breath of fresh air.

  71. anniefat@yahoo.com says:

    excellent choice, excellent human being, viva il papa!