Pope Francis Talks About Benedict, Criticism and Life After COVID-19 in New Interview

Religion News Service ^ | 10/30/20 | Claire Giangrave

[marshmallow]

In a wide-ranging interview with an Italian news agency published Friday (Oct. 30), Francis said he believes 'criticism to be constructive' and a 'guide in my journey on everything, on everyone.'

VATICAN CITY (RNS) — In a wide-ranging interview with an Italian news agency published Friday (Oct. 30), Pope Francis addressed his relationship with his predecessor, Emeritus Pope Benedict XVI, saying the retired pope is “like a father and a brother to me.”

Francis, who sat for the interview with AdnKronos on Tuesday (Oct. 27), said, “Our relationship is really good, very good, and we agree on what needs to be done.”

He said that he often visits Benedict at his Vatican quarters in the Monastery of Mater Ecclesiae.

Ever since Benedict XVI shocked the Catholic Church and the world when he stepped down after fewer than eight years as pope, the notion of two popes living inside the Vatican’s walls has fueled speculation and division, as Benedict, often portrayed as a conservative, became a reference point for Catholics who object to Pope Francis’ more progressive worldview and approach.

The unique situation has also drawn the attention of filmmakers, authors and journalists seeking to explore the relationship between the two white-clad prelates as a symbol of broader tensions among Catholics.

But Francis once again attempted to set the record straight. Benedict, Francis said, is “sanctity personified,” and dismissed reports of petty rivalries. “Anyone can say and think what they want,” he added.

But Francis said that in their first visit after his election, his predecessor handed him a “large box.”

“Everything is in here,” Benedict said, according to Francis, “the documents containing the most difficult issues, I have come this far, I acted in this situation, I drove away these people and now… it’s your turn.”

[marshmallow]

Gaslighting.

[Paladin2]

Marxism needs to die.

Pope Marx ain’t helping in the effort.

Let him wither on the vine.

[ebb tide]

If the faithful came to Mass out of habit alone, he responded, perhaps it would be better if they don’t come.

Out of habit, I pray grace before, and thanksgiving after, meals; I make ths sign of the cross when entering a Catholic church or passing by one; I say the same prayers every morning and every night, including one for Bergoglio's conversion.

Perhaps it would be better if I drop those habits?

[kempster]

Not my Pope!

[montanajoe]

Up through the election of John Paul II the Catholic Church’s leadership was largely European although most of it’s members worldwide were in third world countries.

Today the majority of the faithful worldwide are in third world countries and the Church is growing there, in contrast to the industrialized west where the membership is declining.

Could it be that God, through this Pope, is tending to the believers and is letting those whose political belief’s come before their faith is letting them go it on their own...

[Harmless Teddy Bear]

In truth, the only difference between those who have failed and those who have succeeded lies in the differences of their habits. Good habits are the key to all success. Bad habits are the unlocked door to failure. Thus, the first law I will obey, which precedeth all others is—I will form good habits and become their slave.
As a child I was slave to my impulses; now I am slave to my habits, as are all grown men. I have surrendered my free will to the years of accumulated habits and the past deeds of my life have already marked out a path, which threatens to imprison my future. My actions are ruled by appetite, passion, prejudice, greed, love, fear, environment, habit, and the worst of these tyrants is habit. Therefore, if I must be a slave to habit let me be a slave to good habits. My bad habits must be destroyed and new furrows prepared for good seed.
I will form good habits and become their slave.

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