Pop and the Pope
After I explained to a new friend that I grew up without religion—hence it’s not really a part of my life—she asked, “So you never needed it?” She expressed disappointment because she’d like to see me in heaven. And apparently being non-religious precludes me from getting through the pearly gates. She said she’d pray for me to feel the need, and I told her that was fine if that’s what she thought best.
What I didn’t tell her is that if ever there had been potential for me to need religion, current public interpretation of “God’s will” has essentially neutralized it.
Pete Hegseth, our Secretary of War…er…I mean…Secretary of Defense, apparently publicly prayed for our military to inflict “overwhelming violence of action against those who deserve no mercy.”
Can it be there exists a religion that recognizes some humans as deserving no mercy? I don’t know much about religions, but I’m pretty sure that can’t come from any Christian denomination. Even the Almighty Google tells me Christianity holds that “no sinner is too far gone for repentance.”
Meanwhile, Donald Trump redefines the term “bully pulpit” as he proclaims from his golden White House platform that “A whole civilization will die” if he doesn’t get what he wants—and then portrays himself as Jesus on social media.
I’m sorry—I just can’t imagine Jesus Christ threatening an entire civilization with extermination for failing to do what he says.
And then there’s JD Vance (who converted to Catholicism at age 35), essentially telling the Pope to mind his own business: “It would be best for the Vatican to stick to matters of morality, to stick to matters of what’s going on in the Catholic church and let the president of the United States stick to dictating American public policy…”
Is Vance suggesting war is not a moral issue?
If it weren’t all so dark and genuinely life-threatening, our leadership would sound like a late-night comedy sketch. So, I find it difficult to put much stock in religion—especially Christianity— when leaders claiming to support Christian values openly disregard the words of their proclaimed savior and the sanctity of human life.
But I will say that Pope Leo XIV has at least given me hope that somebody is paying attention to Jesus Christ’s intentions. The pope is none too pleased with these people “who manipulate religion in the very name of God for their own military, economic or political gain, dragging that which is sacred into darkness and filth. They turn a blind eye to the fact that billions of dollars are spent on killing and devastation, yet the resources needed for healing, education and restoration are nowhere to be found.”
That reminds me of this little snippet from the Holy Bible: 1 John 3:17-18 If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.
I think maybe the pope knows what he’s talking about.
My father was raised in the Catholic faith. And though he gave up formal worship and never took me to church, his teachings were not far removed from what the Pope speaks. Pop’s prescription for peace on earth was to remain non-violent no matter what the circumstances, and to love and support all people regardless of skin color, gender identity, country of origin, or how much money they make.
That was all the religion I ever needed. Thanks, Pop.