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Pope Frank has proven to not be terribly cumbrous. Fr Jonathon yesterday said that the Pope hasn’t watched tv in 30 yrs, reads a single [italian] newspaper for 10 minutes per day. We know he sleeps like a rock at night. He doesn’t appear to encumber himself with the cares of the world, other than worrying about capitalism and global warming.

Did you see this one?

http://www.weeklystandard.com/blogs/pope-francis-menace-or-farce_1033365.html

But as we try to sort out what Francis is, exactly—a menace to society and his Church, or a foolish, farcical dupe—it’s worth considering an amazing exchange he had with reporters last July during a flight from Asuncion to Rome:

Question: Holy Father, on this trip, we’ve heard so many strong messages for the poor, also many strong, at times severe messages for the rich and powerful but something we’ve heard very little was a message for the middle class, that is, people who work, people who pay their taxes, the normal people then. My question is why in the magisterium of the Holy Father are there so few messages of the middle class. If there were such a message, what would it be?

Pope Francis: Thank you so much. It’s a good correction, thanks. You are right. It’s an error of mine not to think about this. I will make some comment but not to justify myself. You’re right. I have to think a bit.

Pope: The world is polarized. The middle class becomes smaller. The polarization between the rich and the poor is big. This is true. And, perhaps this has brought me not to take account of this, no? Some nations are doing very well, but in the world in general the polarization is seen. And, the number of poor is big. And why do I speak of the poor? Because they’re at the heart of the Gospel. And, I always speak from the Gospel on poverty, no? Even if it’s sociological. Then, on the middle class, there are some words that I’ve said, but a little in passing. But the common people, the simple people, the worker, that is a great value, no? But, I think you’re telling me about something I need to do. I need to do delve further into this magisterium. I thank you for your help.

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And that was that. One gets the sense that the leader of the Roman Catholic Church understands neither the origins, nor the development, nor status of the middle class. He does not know who the middle class is, or what they do, or what challenges are facing them. By his own accounting, this 78-year-old man has never given this group of people—who comprise the vast majority of the developed world and are the ambition of the rest of the planet—any real thought.

It was an astonishing admission of provincialism. And in its way, it might tell us more about Francis than all the rest, combined.

An interesting perspective. Jesuits are typically renowned for their scholarship and erudition. Of late, however, they have fallen prey to the Marxist temptation of ideology before reason. PF seems to be one of these. He is, doubtless, enamored of his opinions. That his political, economic and scientific opinions are without merit seems not to trouble him.

For a worthy insight I bestow upon you:

Honorable Mention Award: