The first pope ever to address Spain’s Congress drew a seven-minute ovation for a speech on dignity, migration, and peace — delivered the same day Israel and Iran traded fire again. The message was aimed well beyond Madrid.
As a non-Catholic and non-religious person, I do appreciate that Leo calls out material and political greed. These are sins that seem to get less serious attention in comparison to other sins (e.g. sexuality, sexual behavior), which seems convenient for some. What I don’t understand is the mentioning of “the unborn” in a group of people described as “the lives least able to defend themselves,” along with abused children, migrants, and folks ravaged by war. Perhaps I don’t get it because I’m not Catholic and I am pro-choice, but protecting vulnerable people whose consciousness, although at various stages, is well-established is a different issue to me than how we regard the “unborn,” who (if we are referring to fetuses), during the latter stages of gestation can have primary sensory responses that are part of the gradual building of human consciousness, but are not “alive” in the same sense of the word when it’s used to describe children, migrants, etc.
I believe fetuses, their development, and the dominion of pregnant bodies should be treated with incredible sensitivity. I don’t think there should be any callousness toward the unborn, whether that means fetuses or theoretical humans, but I do think the it’s a different matter than people who have been birthed, who have well-established consciousness, and who are mistreated, displaced, and disregarded.
But “ Leo invoked Francisco de Vitoria and the Dominicans who, as new worlds opened five hundred years ago, insisted that reason “could not be invoked to legitimize whatever force or self-interest seemed convenient.”
Really cannot go there. Spaniards conquistadors were beyond horrendous to the Aztecs, Horrific with indigenous in American Southwest and awful in their lack of sympathy much less help with Jews fleeing Nazis. Thankfully Past behavior is no guarantee of future conduct. Thank Goodness. Or there could be no hope.
Pope Leo speaks truth to power. The message is consistent, persistent, and clear. The hypocrites who change their “beliefs” based on who is in power and who can serve their interests have troubling grappling with the message of a man of true faith. And that makes the message all the more important as we grapple with who we are and who we want to be.
Always great coverage on our Beloved Pope Leo!
I love this Man
As a non-Catholic and non-religious person, I do appreciate that Leo calls out material and political greed. These are sins that seem to get less serious attention in comparison to other sins (e.g. sexuality, sexual behavior), which seems convenient for some. What I don’t understand is the mentioning of “the unborn” in a group of people described as “the lives least able to defend themselves,” along with abused children, migrants, and folks ravaged by war. Perhaps I don’t get it because I’m not Catholic and I am pro-choice, but protecting vulnerable people whose consciousness, although at various stages, is well-established is a different issue to me than how we regard the “unborn,” who (if we are referring to fetuses), during the latter stages of gestation can have primary sensory responses that are part of the gradual building of human consciousness, but are not “alive” in the same sense of the word when it’s used to describe children, migrants, etc.
I believe fetuses, their development, and the dominion of pregnant bodies should be treated with incredible sensitivity. I don’t think there should be any callousness toward the unborn, whether that means fetuses or theoretical humans, but I do think the it’s a different matter than people who have been birthed, who have well-established consciousness, and who are mistreated, displaced, and disregarded.
Is there actually a newsletter following Pope? Gotta subscribe
I too Love this Pope.
But “ Leo invoked Francisco de Vitoria and the Dominicans who, as new worlds opened five hundred years ago, insisted that reason “could not be invoked to legitimize whatever force or self-interest seemed convenient.”
Really cannot go there. Spaniards conquistadors were beyond horrendous to the Aztecs, Horrific with indigenous in American Southwest and awful in their lack of sympathy much less help with Jews fleeing Nazis. Thankfully Past behavior is no guarantee of future conduct. Thank Goodness. Or there could be no hope.
Thank you, Christophe, for creating a way for us to be with our dear, much loved Papa Leo. May God bless. Amen
Pope Leo speaks truth to power. The message is consistent, persistent, and clear. The hypocrites who change their “beliefs” based on who is in power and who can serve their interests have troubling grappling with the message of a man of true faith. And that makes the message all the more important as we grapple with who we are and who we want to be.
🇺🇦 “The Budapest Promise (And the Lantern Oath)”
Ukraine once decided to put nukes away,
For safety assurances written to stay.
In Budapest, ’94—ink on the page:
“Respect all their borders. Don’t threaten or rage.” 📜
Then Russia rolled in with invasion and fire,
An illegal land-grab with empire desire.
Ukraine stood so stubborn, refusing the lie,
While the world watched their cities get blasted and dry. 💥
Now listen up closely, this part matters most:
When treaties get mocked, it's the bullies who boast.
When allies get scolded and shaken for show,
It teaches those strongmen how far they can go. 🧨
We grandmas and grandpas recall World War Two—
When Allies said “Never!” and meant it times two.
We thank our dear veterans, our family so brave,
Who stood against fascism, freedom to save. 🪖🇺🇸
So now we do modern-day duty with light:
We share what is real in the thick of the night.
We boost indy press with receipts in their hands,
So truth beats out lies across all of our lands. 🗞️🕯️
And when the loud leaders start threatening friends,
We answer with law that the free world defends.
“Ukraine has a right to exist and to choose,
And democracies don’t get traded for views.” 🇺🇦⚖️
We gather together to shine through the dark,
To kindle the facts and to nurture the spark.
For freedom takes courage, and treaties take trust,
To stand by our allies is strictly a must. 🤝
So hold up the lantern, both steady and bright,
With rule of law guiding us into the fight.
We promise to witness, to vote, and to see—
American Grandmas for sweet liberty. ✨
We are the Pro-Democracy Comment-Crew, using our comments to boost pro-democracy leaders and indie media so the truth can grow!✨🇺🇸🗳️⚖️🕯️