Pope Francis was elected to the Chair of Saint Peter in March of 2013. Since becoming Pope, Francis I has gained a reputation as the "Cool Pope" Catholics and non-Catholics alike have grown to admire Francis for his ideas, policies and his desire to right the ship of a broken down Church. The Catholic Church has no shortage of critics but the Pope is hoping to change the negative views people have with his church. The Pope hit the ground running in March with the first order of business being Vatican reform.
Historically Catholic Church and reform were two words that did not go well together in a sentence. By changing the way the world views the Pope, Francis is also hoping to change the way the world views the Church. Compared to his predecessor Pope Francis is open, friendly and understands the times in which he lives. The Pope understands reform and has started off slowly. He still has work to do in certain areas but for now the Catholic people, especially the Catholic youth seem to agree with the direction the Pope is taking the Church.
In a recent interview with America: The National Catholic Review the Pope made a few statements that have certain groups praising him for his open mind. Here are a few reasons why the Pope has earned his nickname as the "Cool Pope." Some Catholics and other Christians have adopted a policy of zero tolerance when it comes to same sex couples. While the Pope has made statements in the past about not supporting gay-marriage he has recently stated the church needs to (1) change its "small minded rules."
The Pope warned that the Catholic Church will "fall like a house of cards" if it does not change its views on gay marriage, abortion and contraception. The Pope is also a (2) man of the people. He frequently walks around St. Peter's square to mingle with the faithful who flock to the Vatican. The Pope has even posed for a selfie with a group of young followers. In keeping with the "man of the people" theme the Pope tries to make himself available to as many followers as he can, even if they are within camera range.
If you write the Pope a letter and it actually crosses his desk (3) Francis will respond with a phone call. The Pope, in his old fashioned simplicity uses a land line to make personal phone calls to people who have written to him, suffered a personal tragedy or just to say thank you. While it is agreed that the Pope has some work to do in the area of (4) women in the church he is making an effort.
While women have longed wanted a larger role to play within the Catholic Church they have often turned away. A Catholic woman has but one option within the Church, nun. Francis has said he has to "investigate further the role of women in the church. The feminine genius is needed wherever we make important decisions. The challenge today is this: to think about the specific place of women also in those places where the authority of the church is exercised for various areas of the church." Do you think the Pope has earned his title of "cool" or is he just doing what should have been done a long time ago?
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