Posted on 07/14/2017 9:09:00 AM PDT by ebb tide
A gift from a psychologist met at an audience in St. Peter's Square. Francis hung it at the entrance of his apartment in Santa Marta
The "No Complaining" sign on Pope Francis' apartment door in Santa Marta (Copyright: Vatican Insider)
Pope Francis is spending his holidays at home and he has not lost his good mood, in spite of some alleged journalistic stories that decry him as somber and besieged by internal opponents: for a few days, on the door of his apartment in Santa Marta has appeared an eloquent as ironic warning sign, which reads: "It is forbidden to complain". The warning sign explains in Italian that "offenders are subjected to a syndrome of victimism that lowers the mood and the ability to solve problems." And that "Sanction is doubled if the offense is committed in the presence of children". Finally, the sign concludes: "To become the best of yourself, you must focus on your own potential and not on your own limits, so stop complaining and act to change your life better."
To notice the sign were some of the Popes recent interlocutors invited to Santa Marta, including an elderly Italian priest, a long-time friend, who snapped a picture and after having asked for permission, he divulge it. It was Francis himself who made him notice at the end of the audience at the beginning of the week. They both smiled.
That sign is an invention of a psychologist and psychotherapist with a biblical sounding name, Salvo Noé, author of books and motivational courses. In one of his latest publications he has dedicated a few pages to Bergoglio. On 14 June, at the end of the hearing in St. Peter's Square, Noé had the opportunity to greet Francis for a few moments: he gave him a book, a bracelet and the sign which was immediately appreciated by the pope, who replied: "I will put it outside my office door where I receive people." Presently, the Pope's "office", where audiences usually take place, is in the apostolic palace, whose austerity and beauty do not really match well with that warning, and a bit goliardic sign. So Francis decided to hang it out of the door of his apartment in Santa Marta.
Pope Francis with Salvo Noé in St. Peters Square (Copyright: LOsservatore Romano)
In many occasions, the author of the exhortation "Evangelii Gaudium" (the joy of the Gospel) urged Christians to abandon the attitude of constant complaining: "Sometimes - the Pope had said some months after the election there are melancholic Christians with faces like pickled peppers, such long faces, rather than being joyful for the beautiful life they have! "
The priest who took the picture says he found Francis relaxed and serene. Despite being on holiday he is at work on some curial appointments - the new secretary of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith in on the agenda - but also on the talks of his next trip to Colombia. In the last days of June and early July, with the sudden resignation of Rev. General Libero Milone, Cardinal George Pell's temporary leave to go to court in Australia for alleged abuses involving minors, and finally the non-confirmation of Cardinal Gerhard Müller as Prefect of the former Holy Office gave rise to many assumptions. They have even sparked some theories nothing short of far-fetched, like the one passed off as coming from a "good source" yet totally false, according to which Pope Francis, as he was telling Müller he would not be reconfirmed, would also have subjected the cardinal to a surreal interrogation on priestly celibacy and women priests.
Or that of Francis' recent decision to keep eating in the common dining room of Santa Marta, but sitting turning his back to the rest and in a more secluded corner. Actually, this last decision dates back more than three years ago and has therefore no connection with the most recent and controversial events.
This article is published in today's edition of La Stampa daily
More like “Vietato criticare”. Or perhaps “Vietato dire la verità”.
I take this to mean more no opposition than complaining.
Apparently, you did not read the sign.
It seems ironic that your posting history has become the largest source of he current Protestant movement in Catholicism.
Tagline
Tradidi quod et accepi.
It's not I who is celebrating Luther's Revolt, it's Bergoglio. So tell me which one is the protestant.
A good leader listens to both the good and the bad in a situation and then takes steps to bring them together.
You, apparently. I guess it is good for you that the Roman Catholic hierarchy no longer kills those who dissent against it.
Welcome, Protestor!
Francis' rhetoric is typified by its negativity. He's always ridiculing and denigrating somebody or something. So much for "no complaining".
Rather, you should be welcoming Bergoglio, he’s one of yours now.
Is that right above the “No True Catholics” sign or below it?
Actually, as a non-Lutheran, non-liberal, and non pagan, I leave him to you to protest.
You forgot “non-Catholic”. Why should I care what you think?
Yup, right under the “No Catholics” sign.
He’s a cardboard pope.
“You forgot non-Catholic.
I mentioned the paganism...
This Pope is foreign to me and I rarely agree with anything he says. Compare and contrast this Pope to John Paul II and my point is made clear.
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