One Less Voice for the Poor, the Migrant and the Environment

Francis, the First Latin American Pope, Dies at 88 – The New York Times

Pope Francis, who rose from modest means in Argentina to become the first Jesuit and Latin American pontiff, who clashed bitterly with traditionalists in his push for a more inclusive Roman Catholic Church, and who spoke out tirelessly for migrants, the marginalized and the health of the planet, died on Monday at the Vatican’s Casa Santa Marta. He was 88.

The pope’s death was announced by the Vatican in a statement on X, a day after Francis appeared in his wheelchair to bless the faithful in St. Peter’s Square on Easter Sunday.

Throughout his 12-year papacy, Francis was a change agent, having inherited a Vatican in disarray in 2013 after the stunning resignation of his predecessor, Benedict XVI, a standard-bearer of Roman Catholic conservatism.

Francis steadily steered the church in another direction, restocking its leadership with a diverse array of bishops who shared his pastoral, welcoming approach as he sought to open up the church. Many rank-and-file Catholics approved, believing that the church had become inward-looking and distant from ordinary people.

Francis reached out to migrants, the poor and the destitute, to victims of sexual abuse by Catholic clergy members, and to alienated gay Catholics. He traveled to often-forgotten and far-flung countries and sought to improve relations with an antagonistic Chinese government, Muslim clerics and leaders from across the fragmented Christian world.

[…]

His vision, expressed in major documents like the encyclical “Laudato Si,” or “Praise Be to You,” linked Catholic theology to protecting the environment and championing those on the margins, while denouncing the excesses of global capitalism in exploiting the poor.

[continues]

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Author: patd

“But I don’t want to go among mad people," Alice remarked. "Oh, you can’t help that," said the Cat: "we’re all mad here. I’m mad. You’re mad." "How do you know I’m mad?" said Alice. "You must be," said the Cat, "or you wouldn’t have come here.” ― Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland

27 thoughts on “One Less Voice for the Poor, the Migrant and the Environment”

  1. https://www.palmbeachpost.com/story/news/2025/04/21/pope-francis-dies-jd-vance-met-with-the-pope-on-easter-morning/83190911007/

    Pope Francis held a private meeting at the Vatican on Sunday morning with Vice President JD Vance, the Vatican said in a statement.
    Vance, a Catholic who has clashed with the pontiff over the Trump administration’s immigration policies, met Francis at his Vatican residence to exchange Easter greetings, the statement said.
    “Pope Francis had a brief private encounter … lasting a few minutes, in order to exchange good wishes on Easter day,” said the statement. …
    Vance’s office issued a brief statement confirming the meeting, but offered no further details.
    The vice president, who has been visiting Italy with his family this weekend, met senior Vatican officials for more formal talks on Saturday. The pope, who is recovering from double pneumonia, did not take part in those discussions.
    The pope and Vatican officials have criticised several of the policies of President Donald Trump’s administration, including his plans to deport millions of migrants from the U.S. and his widespread cuts to foreign aid and domestic welfare programs.
    [continues]]

  2. Deep sadness for this man who encouraged the Good Samaritan in us all. We are all responsible for the least amongst us, those who are in pain or need.

  5. a little dark humor from europe to lighten the mood

    Attribution: EASTER MIRACLE WITH JD VANCE by Marian Kamensky, Austria

  6. didn’t mean to go incognito with that one nor to offend anyone by it. just forgot to update profile again.

    I bet, however, that JD visit will inspire a lot of conspiracy theories, memes and “last words” jokes.

  7. I’m stunned to read this first-thing-in-the-morning news. Papa Francesco was the best of the modern popes, maybe any.

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pope_Francis

    However, my insidious thought went along the lines of the cartoon since that visitation just “coincidentally” happened. No doubt he’ll get some credit. More treachery to be revealed?

  9. I have my sister here with me. She got to meet the Pope when he came to this country and went to a Catholic school in Harlem. She was teaching art at that school at the time.

    Yes… it is very sad. Hope they don’t choose a more conservative one next… but something tells me they will.

  11. Too few popes would say “ who am I to judge?” Any bets on whether the Catholic faith will have 2 in a row?

  14. ugh imagine that smarmy closeted face being the last one you see 🤮

    test the body for polonium

  15. One of his last acts was to have one of his people school JD.

    Will Elon try to sway the Papal Election? Maybe a WankPanzer for a new Popemobile?

    Don’t think the TV station could blame autocorrect for this one; maybe they had a special affinity for him.

    RIP & Godspeed Pope Francis.

  17. The wacko, Opus Dei Catholics are coming out of the woodwork. Full-on pushing for women being silent, popping out (yt) babies, not being able to vote nor hold property. See: Harrison Butker (Chief’s kicker with a PAC)…and possibly JD.

    Someone in this administration will try to push to pick an ultra-conservative Pope.

  21. Today, I’ve added another resist/oppose action; join in if you’re so inclined.

    FIFA.com has a “contact us” button, so I issued a human rights query:

    As travelers from the EU and UK have been victims of detention and deportations by the US, and and as an increasing number of countries are issuing travel advisories against travel to the US, please considering moving matches from the US to Canada and Mexico. Thank You

  25. Another thing I didn’t see coming.

    Two hours later, the dinner was over, and the Führer escorted me to the door. “I am so glad to have met you. I hope I’m no longer the monster you thought I was.” “I must say, mein Führer, I’m so thankful I came. Although we disagree on many issues, it doesn’t mean that we have to hate each other.” And with that, I gave him a Nazi salute and walked out into the night.

    https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/21/opinion/larry-david-hitler-dinner.html?

  27. Popes…..can’t live with ‘em
    can’t live without ‘em.

    Watch ‘em come and watch ‘em go.
    They all got one thing in common…..they got the fire down below.
    [Insert Extended Guitar Wail Here……]

    (To quote Frank Zappa)

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