Thanks for this, Leah. My mother-in-law is a devout Catholic and turning 98 this year. Several months ago I shared an article with her about the Pope's calls to Gaza and another about his statements about the election in hope that his account would move her; it did not. As a non-believer and someone raised to oppose religion, I couldn't understand how the Pope's position didn't matter to her. When I read the NYT article that excluded his commitment to Gaza and call for a ceasefire, I finally got it: regardless of religious beliefs, most will find a way to walk the easy path, saying their hail Mary's later. Still, I hope that with time, this Pope's legacy will be fully appreciated.
It's so wild that many of us who are not religious can see the radical compassion the Pope displayed over the last 18 months, that his own followers have missed / ignored. I didn't know that about the NYT article but why am I not surprised.
Thanks for this, Leah. My mother-in-law is a devout Catholic and turning 98 this year. Several months ago I shared an article with her about the Pope's calls to Gaza and another about his statements about the election in hope that his account would move her; it did not. As a non-believer and someone raised to oppose religion, I couldn't understand how the Pope's position didn't matter to her. When I read the NYT article that excluded his commitment to Gaza and call for a ceasefire, I finally got it: regardless of religious beliefs, most will find a way to walk the easy path, saying their hail Mary's later. Still, I hope that with time, this Pope's legacy will be fully appreciated.
It's so wild that many of us who are not religious can see the radical compassion the Pope displayed over the last 18 months, that his own followers have missed / ignored. I didn't know that about the NYT article but why am I not surprised.
My journey has been so similar. Relate to every turn on your path.
Thanks for reading and sharing. Look forward to talking more over tea!