There fixed that for you. He still has the palace. He still has the royal robes and throne and headpieces. I am sure he can have steak and lobster any time he desires it. He is still worshiped as someone greater than an average man. The fact that he goes slumming at his choosing is no doubt pleasing to his ego for legacy purposes.
No, Bob, it hasn’t just been “occasionally”. He didn’t live in the Archbishop’s residence in Buenos Aires but had a very modest apartment. Often he would take the bus. He would fix very basic meals in his apartment consisting of rice and the like. He has a history of selling vehicles provided him, getting a considerably older one, and giving the money difference to the poor, which long precedes his election as Pope. Throughout his Church career, others have been concerned about him, wanting him to live better, but he has resisted.
I didn’t like the “Who am I to judge?” statement, nor the demotion of Cardinal Burke, but I do not question this pope’s modest, even austere lifestyle and his commitment to be close to the poor of his flock.
Lots of large buildings in Roime or any European capital are called "palaces." Don't think of Prince Charming's palace from Cinderella: a sumptuous mansion. Think of a public buiilding with offices and meeting rooms. Heated by radiators from the 1950's. There, fixed it for ya.
"He still has the royal robes and throne and headpieces."
These are not personal fashion statements, any more than a Marine in his Dress Blues. They are official and ceremonial. You may feel uncomfortable seeing a U.S. military officer with a chest full of medals ("fruit salad") as they say. Marks of rank, a similar concept. Even more similar would be the priestly garments described in detail in the book Leviticus. Catholics don't have a Levitical priesthood (ours is in the order of Melchizedek) but the idea of "Worship the LORD in holy attire" (Psalm 96:9) is still the same. For the Bible tells me so.
"I am sure he can have steak and lobster..."
Yeah, yeah, so could I if I cut back on the chicken tenders. By the way, Pope Francis dislikes champagne and prefers to drinks Maté.... with Evangelicals. EEEeeeek!
" He is still worshiped as someone greater than an average man."
Wrong-o. Not workshiped. He's not anything other than a human being. This link Two Minute Lesson (LINK) shows how we have historically dealt with papal error and stupidity. It's worth a look.
"The fact that he goes slumming at his choosing is no doubt pleasing to his ego for legacy purposes." No doubt that's why we spend our time slumming here at the Free Repubblic Religion Forum. Bad neighborhood. Edgy.
All clear now? Bless your heart.
He is also not worshipped. People may think of him as greater, but he endeavors to disprove that -- you can't change what people think of you, BB, either.
The fact that he goes slumming and has done so consistently for decades is pretty much clear. I don't do that -- do you?