The news of Pope Francis’ passing is not especially surprising given his recent health challenges. He was a controversial pope in view of his intensely progressive/ socialist cultural and political stance. Much like the liberal mainline Protestants, he warped and distorted Christian teaching to conform to his own political beliefs.
Now that the College of Cardinals must elect a new pope, the question is what kind of person will replace him.
Recent revelations suggest that Francis might have been chosen in part because of the influence of the progressive/ socialist crowd in Washington when Obama was president. To the extent that external politics could influence this process, the fact that Europe and the United States have begun to turn away from this viewpoint and toward a more populist/ conservative perspective, it would be interesting to see how that might influence who is chosen.
But here is one key factor. Francis appointed 80 percent of the cardinals who will be choosing the new pope. He was determined to appoint those who would conform to his viewpoint; and he worked out of the system those cardinals and bishops who disagreed with him.
That would suggest Francis has “baked in” the kind of person who would follow him.
We shall see.
Addendum: Here is some prognostication:
.@RogerJStoneJr tells @JackPosobiec about the contenders for the next Pope. pic.twitter.com/PXZVHSxH9f
— Human Events (@HumanEvents) April 21, 2025
It’s rigged.
I hope not, Fred. While I am no longer Catholic, I want to see the church more faithful and biblical.