Germany: Cologne Cardinal Calls Pope "Old Man"

Deutsche Welle ^ | 4/3/22 | Rebecca Staudenmaier

[marshmallow]

Cardinal Rainer Maria Woelki raised eyebrows during a meeting where he reportedly said Pope Francis was "out of touch with reality." The Cologne archdiocese said the remarks were not intended to be disrespectful.

A high-level church meeting with Cardinal Rainer Maria Woelki ended on a sour note for some participants on Saturday, after the controversial archbishop caused a stir with his remarks on the pope, news agency dpa reported.

Woelki has faced mounting criticism in recent months over his handling of reports of sexual abuse in Cologne — Germany's largest Catholic archdiocese. The cardinal offered to resign as archbishop in March, but Francis has yet to make a decision.

What did he say about the pope?

Woelki appealed for a new start and a second chance as archbishop during a closed meeting with Cologne's pastoral council on Friday and Saturday.

But his comments on Pope Francis sparked alarm among some of the 60 participants.

The cardinal referred to Francis as "an old man" who was also "out of touch with reality," several attendees told dpa.

An archdiocese spokesperson confirmed to dpa that Woelki had called Francis an "old man" but emphasized that the remarks were not meant to be disrespectful to the 85-year-old pope.

Other participants appeared to appreciate Woelki's candor and his proposals for reform — including no longer having a theologian head up the administration of the Cologne archdiocese.

[irishjuggler]

Fact check... TRUE
Bergoglio is an old man (85.5 years old).
Bergoglio is out of touch with reality (mindlessly spouting every leftist trope).

[Colt1851Navy]

The Captain of a ship was frequently referred to as the Old Man, without disrespect. My ship’s captain called me son a couple of times.