No one reads this thing so I'm just going to type up my emotions on the new Pope.
I couldn't say it because I was in class with my pre-k students, but holy shit, they picked an American. Ok fine we can be technical and say that Francis was the first American pope, but everyone calls those of us rom the USA Americans, so piss off.
I have lived through now 3 conclaves and each one has been similar yet different. I am a JP2 girl, I will not deny that St. John Paul the Great influenced my life and faith. I saw him the most World Youth Day (WYD) Paris in 1997, WYD 2000 in Rome, 2001 in Rome with SHU, WYD 2002 in Toronto. Each of those was similar but different. In Paris I felt like I was one of few if not the only one of my group that actually wanted to see the Pope. My being more religious or "knowing" more about Catholicism has been a theme throughout all my life. JP2 was elected in October of 1978 a year and 2 months before I was born and he died in 2005 fittingly on the Feast of Divine Mercy. Like many I had never experienced a conclave and back then technology and media was not what it is today. JP2 was Pope for 27 years; he traveled all over the world, updated Canon Law, updated the Catechism, wrote many letters, encyclicals and other documents. As 2005 was 20 years ago no one wants to think about JP2's legacy as we are still living it. A return to tradition or going backwards as many would say has made an appearance among the younger priests and members of the Catholic Church.
I remember sitting at my job listening to the announcement of Benedict as Pope. I remember how relived I was when I heard Ratzinger as I knew nothing would change. Benedict was a continuation of JP2 and was the reason JP2 could leave the Vatican as much as he did. Benedict like JP2 was a fan of tradition, they lived in the "Palace", they wore the red shoes, the "fancy" vestments. Benedict was a teacher and we have the current Catechism because of him and JP2. I was sad when Benedict resigned and wished he stayed in office until his death. Maybe that's why the conclave that elected Pope Francis didn't have the same emotions attached to it. Benedict died humbly hidden away from the world yet all anyone wants to talk about is the color of his shoes and how fancy he was. He and his predecessor left us with a ton of excellent writings but all people seem to care about is shoes, vestments, and going backwards.
When Pope Francis was elected I remember thinking who did we elect and that's an interesting name choice. While I respect the office I was often left confused by what Pope Francis said. Maybe that was more towards the end of his papacy than at the beginning. Maybe the influence of JP2 and Benedict finally started to show themselves during Francis' papacy. I didn't have the same feeling of "relaxation" when he was elected. He was unknown to me and in many ways still is. I felt a connection to the other two but never Francis.
I had the opportunity to see JP2 quite a few times and each time was more special than the last. Thinking back on Toronto still brings the tears of joy; I even made it on tv. Benedict came to NY and while I had to enter the Evil Empire of Yankee Stadium it was by far my favorite Papal Mass, WYDs was massive so Mass was chaotic but still Mass. Mass at Yankee Stadium while people annoyed the shit out of me, was Mass. I had the immense pleasure or being in Rome for JP2's beatification. It was one of those things where we ended up watching the Mass on TV despite being there, that's how crowded it. We got to see Pope Benedict at the Papal Audience and that was one of the few times in my life that I put the camera down as he drove by. When I saw both JP2 and Benedict I felt something, what it was I don't know. I did get to see Pope Francis when he came to the US. I happened to be teaching in NYC and the Archdiocese gave the opportunity to get tickets to Central Park. It was a literal drive-by. I know NYPD wanted to move him through quickly and it was quick. I spent more time talking to the NYPD officer standing by me than I did looking at Pope Francis. I remember thinking why didn't it feel the same as when I saw JP2 or Benedict, and that would show itself later.
JP2 was the only pope I knew forever, then Ratzinger became Benedict so I felt that continuity, that was missing with Francis. Which is odd considering how I feel about evangelization. I don't make maybe all the infighting over which form of the Mass is what has turned me off. I mean yes technically Francis lifted all the restrictions on the TLM but it felt like if you liked the TLM or anything that involved tradition you were called rigid.
Now we have an American Pope and I am shocked because for the first time in my life the Pope is relatable, he's been to baseball games, his brothers made fun of him or being religious. He speaks American English. When he appeared and was wearing the red cape and stole, I was ecstatic when I saw that. The excitement I felt when I saw the white smoke and was able to tell my preschoolers oh we have smoke continued and I think I had the same reaction of any American Catholic who was truly paying attention to the Conclave.... AN AMERICAN... WOW! and stunned silence.
I am happy to see tradition return, I am happy to see the Pope return to the building that was built for hime to live in. Casa Santa Marta was built by JP2 as a place for the Cardinals to stay during the conclave. I am tried of hearing all about Francis' humility and how Pope Leo isn't humble because he decided to wear the traditional garb and is returning to the "Palace." If you have been to the Vatican you will know that it's not a palace but a big building. Pope Leo will not be surrounded by gold and fancy things like King Charles is. I hope Leo brings back the red shoes. They are not fancy, they are not Prada, they are a sign of the martyrs who blood the Church was built upon.
Pope Leo has been in office 2 days and I can see from so called experts it so it's so nice to him wearing the simple black shoes like Francis, he must be so humble. Oh look the Pope has an Apple Watch, I thought they couldn't have nice things. The men who are called to priesthood are human, they are allowed to have nice things. Maybe the watch was a gift, don't forget that during the conclave he wouldn't be able to have it thanks to the whole not electronics rule.
While sitting here typing this I can't help but think what a reward for the National Eucharistic Congress. We turned our whole country to Jesus and brought Him from all four corners of the US to Indianapolis where 60,000 people sat, knelt, and prayed in silent Adoration of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. I don't know what God has planned but I know the Holy Spirit is moving and I am excited. Pope Leo is giving me JP2 vibes, he may not be as exciting but he's young and American and that's a start. What I like is that the man can chant, uses Latin, and seems to like tradition. The Church is not political, the people in it are. JP2 and Benedict were no more political that Pope Francis, they spoke with clarity and said what they needed to say. We got Evangleization and care for the environment from Francis. We got the Catechism and God is Love from JP2 and Benedict.
Before people pounce on me and say oh you don't like Francis, I did, he just left me confused. I never had to go read what JP2 or Benedict said because you knew what they meant. With Francis I got tired of saying go read what he actually said.
I veil, I like Latin, I love incense, so yes I am looking to see that reflected in my Pope and I think I have it again. Pray for Pope Francis' soul and pray for Pope Leo. This is not a job anyone wants, you stay with tradtion and pass on the faith and no one likes you because you are old fashioned and going backwards. Go to far forward and no like likes you because you remind them that we are all responsible for one another. The Pope is not God, and his opinions are just that opinions. When he speaks as the successor of St. Peter from the Chair then he is infallible, but only in matters of Church teaching.
Long Live Pope Leo XIV
Our Lady of Guadalupe, pray for him
Mary, the Immaculate Conception, pray for him
Our Lady of Good Counsel, pray for him
Interesting what I wrote back in 2013 https://irish3509.blogspot.com/2013/10/the-tale-of-two-i-mean-three-popes.html
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