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

49 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)

  31. I also hope Orange Adolf doesn’t use the Pope’s death as a distraction from the criminal, n@zi sh/t they are doing.

  32. Not sure why the image didn’t show but if you click on the link you can see if. With the church expanding into the developing world as it contracts in the developed world, picking a black man from Africa would make a statement about the universality of the catholic church. Make it a true world religion, not just a left over from colonial times.
    Jack

  34. Craig,
    Not lefties so much as pastoral as opposed to academics. Plus he went for expanding the church into realms other than European emphasis. i.e. African and Asian. As good a man as he is, I can’t see the church going for a black pope as yet, but I do think the Cardinal from the Philippines is a distinct possibility given the growth of the Catholic faith in that part of the world.

  35. While AOC and Bernie are playing on the coast trying to reinvent the 60’s there is low hanging fruit for the picking in the heartland. If the Democrats are smart enough to pick it.
    From Bloomberg
    It seems Argentina and Brazilian farmers are enjoying Trump’s trade war.

    The newest opportunity seems to be meat. US President Donald Trump’s tariffs on eight of America’s top 10 beef buyers have already redrawn trade flows, raising exports of Brazilian beef to halal markets including Algeria and Turkey. Japan, America’s second largest beef client, is now in advanced talks to start buying cheaper meat from Brazil

  36. Added info, Pope Francis has appointed about 1/3 of the current Cardinals. Election requires a minimum of 2/3.

  39. Going with Jamie on this one; personal thoughts are the Filipino experience with crappy people like Duterte and Ferdinand Marcos & Imelda gives him real world experience with dictators and martial law. No doubt his lolas and aunties lived through a lot of stuff.

    Will a non-white Pope fly? Will he be considered a “woke” Pope just because he’s not yt?

  43. the head of homeland security can’t even secure her own purse.
    https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/21/us/politics/kristi-noem-purse-stolen.html

    Kristi Noem’s Bag, With Security Badge and $3,000, Is Stolen
    The homeland security secretary was dining at a Washington, D.C., restaurant. She also lost her passport and keys.

    A handbag belonging to the homeland security secretary Kristi Noem containing her passport, department security badge and $3,000 in cash was stolen on Sunday night at a restaurant in Washington, the department confirmed.
    Ms. Noem also confirmed the theft at the White House Easter Egg Roll on Monday morning.
    The department did not give specifics, but said it could confirm the details of a CNN article, which said that Ms. Noem’s bag also contained her driver’s license, medication, apartment keys and blank checks.
    “Her entire family was in town including her children and grandchildren,” the department said via email. “She was using the cash withdrawal to treat her family to dinner, activities and Easter gifts.”
    The Metropolitan Police Department in Washington on Monday referred questions to the Secret Service, which itself referred questions to Homeland Security.

    [continues]

    https://www.cnn.com/2025/04/21/politics/homeland-security-kristi-noem-purse-stolen/index.html

  44. https://www.businessinsider.com/elizabeth-warren-stock-market-crash-warning-if-trump-fires-powell-2025-4

    Sen. Elizabeth Warren said Thursday that if President Donald Trump fired Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, it could trigger a crash in the US stock market.

    ***
    Today:

    https://www.cnbc.com/2025/04/20/stock-market-today-live-updates.html

    Dow slides more than 950 points as Trump rips Fed Chair Powell, reigniting investor worries

    “Magnificent Seven” tech titans dragged the major indexes lower, with Tesla
    and Nvidia
    respectively losing 5.8% and more than 4%. Amazon
    shed 3%, as did Meta Platforms
    . Equipment manufacturer Caterpillar
    declined 2.8%.

    In a Truth Social post, Trump claimed that the economy would slow unless Powell — who he referred to as “Mr. Too Late, a major loser” — lowered interest rates immediately. This follows another post last week in which Trump also called for the Fed to lower rates, even hinting at Powell’s “termination” — something White House economic advisor Kevin Hassett said the president’s team was studying.

    The dollar was also under pressure, hitting a three-year low as the threats ramped up.

    *Donny Demento is destroying the world.

  46. https://www.politico.com/news/2025/04/21/don-bacon-recommends-firing-hegseth-00301057

    Rep. Don Bacon, a prominent Republican on the House Armed Services Committee, became the first sitting GOP lawmaker Monday to suggest President Donald Trump should fire Pete Hegseth — calling the chaos at the Pentagon one reason why many Hill Republicans were privately uneasy with the Defense secretary’s nomination in the first place.

    “I had concerns from the get-go because Pete Hegseth didn’t have a lot of experience,” Bacon, a former Air Force general who now chairs of the subcommittee on cyber issues, said in an interview.

    The Nebraska lawmaker also said that while he didn’t feel it was his place to call on Hegseth to resign, he wouldn’t stand for Hegseth’s mismanagement were he the occupant of the Oval Office.

    If it’s true that he had another [Signal] chat with his family, about the missions against the Houthis, it’s totally unacceptable,” said Bacon, referring to the New York Times report that Hegseth shared sensitive information about military operations in Yemen in a private chat on the Signal app that included his wife, brother and personal lawyer. It’s the second report of administration officials using an unclassified messaging platform to share sensitive information.

    “I’m not in the White House, and I’m not going to tell the White House how to manage this … but I find it unacceptable, and I wouldn’t tolerate it if I was in charge,” Bacon continued.

    Russia and China put up thousands of people to monitor all these phone calls at the very top, and the No. 1 target besides the president … would be the secretary of Defense,” said Bacon. “Russia and China are all over his phone, and for him to be putting secret stuff on his phone is not right. He’s acting like he’s above the law — and that shows an amateur person.”

    Bacon’s comments come amid a larger string of high-level firings, public dramas and disagreements over the handling of sensitive and classified information within the administration, with the lawmaker casting judgment on the apparent dysfunction inside the Pentagon specifically.

    His condemnation also follows harsh words from former top Pentagon spokesperson John Ullyot, who stepped down last week and blamed Hegseth for plunging the department into chaos in a POLITICO Magazine opinion piece published Sunday night.

    “It looks like there’s a meltdown going on,” Bacon said. “There’s a lot — a lot — of smoke coming out of the Pentagon, and I got to believe there’s some fire there somewhere.”

    *Who in this administration doesn’t act like they’re above the law?

  47. lol cash and blank checks

    get a debit card, grandma

    or did she not want the transactions recorded 🤔

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