Hello friends. The pontificate of Francis has been unique in many ways. Some of these ways have not been met with open arms or acceptance, whether from the Curia in Rome or  Catholic parishioners in America. Yet Francis seems a Pope for our times, and willing to humbly seek forgiveness later than ask permission first. Francis is indeed a Pope “humbled by a vast cosmos” and leads the Church forward in his own way — even when dealing with those who might not agree with him. Thanks, Gene

A Pope Who Blows Kisses

How could I stay disappointed with Francis
who chats with a 93-year-old unbeliever*
without trying to convert him?

Enough that the Pope opens the car door
for the nonagenarian, blows him baci
at Easter and receives kisses in return.

This drives some in the Curia crazy.
Why diminish his perks and power?
The visitor might at least kiss the Pope’s hand.

A 500-year Enlightenment rubs off
even on popes who are humbled by a vast cosmos
that challenges certainties.

As Jesuit novices, Francis and I learned
the daily “examen” of conscience
to become aware of our moral and mental limits.

Now I walk along the outskirts of the old faith
to embrace key ways of Jesus
and gather wisdom by other teachers.

Do I disagree with Francis? Of course,
on many issues: women’s ordination
and subordination, clerical celibacy . . .

We probably differ on Jesus, the splendid Jew
who links us to the divine, but who practiced
an “examen” in his own way.

Scripture writers weren’t paid to monitor
this side of the Lord’s life in Palestine.
Maybe Jesus also blew kisses to friends.

* Eugenio Scalfari, founder of La Repubblica, an Italian newspaper