Pope Francis: The ‘zig-zag Pope’

March 22, 2023 in Featured News, News

Pope Francis is ten years in office this month (March 2023) and Gerry Whelan SJ, Director of the Department of Fundamental Theology in the Gregorian University in Rome assesses his papacy so far in this interview with Pat Coyle of Irish Jesuit Communications.

He outlines the major stepping stones beginning with Francis’ first letter or apostolic exhortation Evangeli Gaudium » he describes as the Pope’s manifesto.

Gerry Whelan also talks about the integral ecology of Pope Francis and its impact when Laudato Sí was published » And he outlines the centrality of synodality (consultation and inclusivity) in Francis’ vision for the church, a vision honed by his life as a Jesuit in Argentina.

Finally, he speaks of the growing opposition to the Pope from both the right and the left, which Whelan describes as in part a response to the way Pope Francis has been ‘zig-zaging’ around issues over the last decade. Whelan argues the need now for a solid philosophical/theological underpinning of Frances’ thoughts and actions and briefly summarises what that might look like.