I’m not a religious person at all and I can’t tolerate religious nonsense forced upon others, but of all the Popes over my life, Pope Francis was easily the one who most embodied Christian values and his constant advocacy for the weakest and poorest amongst us marks him as a true highlight when it comes to Popes.
I think one of the best insights was from the brilliant Australian commentator Caitlin Johnstone…
The Pope Has Died, And The Palestinian People Have Lost An Important Advocate
Pope Francis has died after using his Easter Sunday address to call for peace in Gaza. I don’t know who the cardinals will pick to replace him, but I do know with absolute certainty that there are transnational intelligence operations in the works to make sure they select a more reliable supporter of Israel. They’ve probably been working on it since his health started failing.
Anyone who’s been reading me for a while knows my attitude toward Roman Catholicism can be described as openly hostile because of my family history with the Church’s sexual abuses under Cardinal Pell, but as far as popes go this one was decent. Francis had been an influential critic of Israel’s mass atrocities in Gaza, calling for investigation of genocide allegations and denouncing the bombing of hospitals and the murder of humanitarian workers and civilians. He’d been personally calling the only Catholic parish in Gaza by phone every night during the Israeli onslaught, even as his health deteriorated.
In other words, he was a PR problem for Israel.
I hope another compassionate human being is announced as the next leader of the Church, but there are definitely forces pushing for a different outcome right now. There is no shortage terrible men who could be chosen for the position.
…That is how I feel as well.
Francis leaves a true legacy of advocating for those with no voice, I suspect the conclave won’t allow that mistake to be made again and we will get some appalling hardliner.
RIP Francis, you actually made Christianity meaningful again and you made those of us who don’t believe in God feel that if there was one, Francis embodied his true values.
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The Pope fought off a devastating illness so he could continue to do God’s work on Earth
Then he met JD Vance.
RIP pope Francis.
This was the guy who promoted open borders but lived in a walled city surrounded by armed guards.
Andrew He also promoted liberation theology, which was very much the message of Christ, and there may be a link between the two, albeit not, as things have panned out, a very pragmatic one.
There is few things more powerful than someone’s last words.
From EDA News:
These Were Pope Francis’s Last Emotional Words Before Passing Away
Hours after a historic Easter Sunday, the Vatican announced the death of Pope Francis
21/04/2025 11:26:00h
by Daniel H. Marín
https://edatv.news/en/news/pope-franciss-last-emotional-words-before-passing-away
Despite his delicate health, Pope Francis wanted to keep his appointment with the faithful. In a wheelchair and without oxygen, he appeared on the central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica. From there, he gave his last Urbi et Orbi blessing.
</After the blessing, he surprised everyone by getting into the popemobile. He toured the square for several minutes, greeting and blessing. He even stopped to bless some children, although his movements were visibly slow….
……that was to be his last public appearance because, hours later, the Vatican confirmed his passing. The Camerlengo cardinal declared: "Dear brothers and sisters, with deep sorrow I must announce the passing of our Holy Father Francis."
The EDA journalist, Daniel H. Marín who wrote this report wrote: “unknowingly”.
I think Pope Francis knew he was living his last hours.
In my personal encournters with carers and ambulance workers, they tell me people often know, even if there are no apparent visible symptoms to us, that they are living their last hours or days.
Pope Francis knew and made it count.
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This is a beautiful post – you speak of the very meaningful last actions of a dying man, who dedicated his whole life to Christ. I’m awed that after a month in hospital battling double pneumonia, Pope Francis took up the cross and resumed his duties, however frail. What an example to us all.
Yesterday, within hours of the Pontiff’s death and his final message, Netanyahu delivered a rant in Hebrew denouncing all those calling for a ceasefire and the release of the hostages.
I could not find a direct Hebrew to English translation of his speech.
But I did find this AI generated video translation. AI may be a bit dodgy, and I think the AI even altered the video feed to match Netanyu’s lip movements to match the AI generated English words.
The AI has even used Netanyahu’s own voice and accent.
From Times of India yesterday
AI TRANSLATED VIDEO SPEECH
‘Hamas Aren’t Stupid’: Netanyahu Screams At Israelis; Admits He Cannot Fool Gaza Fighters | Watch
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H53tcpZXu5o
36,766 views Apr 20, 2025
The pressure from civil society around the world calling for a lasting ceasefire is having an effect, an effect mirrored in the statements coming from world leaders like the UN Secretary General and not least the late Pope Francis, is being felt inside Israeli and even inside the Netanyahu war cabinet. To this end, we must step up the pressure from civil society on the Netanyahu regime and its representatives and apologists.
Combined with calls from the Israeli anti-war left, with in Israel, aligned with the families of the hostages, together we can bring this genocide to an end.
https://www.africanews.com/2025/04/21/who-will-be-the-next-pope-a-look-at-potential-candidates/
yes< a visit from apolitician from the great satan-you"d want to shuffle off too
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