My take on the very latest – even more astonishing – interview with Pope Francis is here. With every passing day, the radicalism and ambition of his papacy deepens. My view from last year on why Saint Francis is one key to reviving Christianity in the modern world is here.
Update from a reader:
I read your selections from the Pope’s interview, and something struck me very, very deeply about many of the passages. Pope Francis seems rather like a Quaker. First of all, he talks about God’s light being everything, in everyone, and that goodness is universal. This concept is at the core of Quaker theology. In addition, his mystical experience before accepting the papal seat seems rather like what Quakers seek, often in vain, every single Sunday. He cleared his head, calmed himself, and listened for God. In return, God filled him with a sense of purpose and holy light.
Another:
Just as remarkable as the interview is the letter the Pope composed in response to an open letter that Scalfari wrote in the editorial pages of La Repubblica. The 89-year-old Scalfari holds a very unique place in Italian culture; he’s been a journalist, a publisher, and even, briefly, a parliamentarian – in the public eye for more than 60 years. Repubblica is definitely on the left-wing side of the Italian newspaper spectrum, probably the most left-wing non-communist paper.
Pope Francis is definitely reaching out. This agnostic Jew continues to be astonished.
(Image to commemorate last Friday’s Feast Day of St. Francis of Assisi via Xt3.com)
The Dish 