"..condemned what he called the “homosexual lifestyle” and “the redefinition of marriage” as “at odds with the [ utter bullshit, mythical, ancient fairytale illusion ] #Gospel”
The only purpose of ALL #religion is to CONTROL YOUR MIND
Yesterday, I was eagerly awaiting your take and looked up the previous Pope Leo. I feel relieved and can now start my day. Your previous essay about Leonard Leo piqued my interest in the Pope’s announcement, although I am Baptist and would not normally have a huge interest. I enjoyed your assessment and the way you wrote it. Cannot get enough! Thanks for getting the word out early this morning. Enjoy your day.
I wish blessings and success for Pope Leo XIV. I thought of your article about Names as we waited to see what name would be chosen and was pleased to hear Leo. It's also very interesting that this Pope is a relatively young man. Your book, "The Age of Unreality arrived yesterday. It's terrific!!
It crossed my mind that the choice of the name might be a dig at Leonard Leo and his ilk. If he stands firm against the Vance/ Opus Dei types it will move their stained glass Overton Window in a positive direction; it seems he will. One can hope that momentum builds for the sake of the millions who are suffering under repressive regimes, without condoning all of their dogma.
Conclave elects Pope Leo XIV ! Loser claims the election was rigged, appoints 12 new disciples, peddles new Bible and issues his own Ten Commandments. MAGA Supreme Court rules in favor of the loser to make him feel better and promises him eternal salvation....... read all about it!
Lapsed Catholic here, so I share your interest in the progress of the papacy. I worried that the name Leo was a nod to Leonard Leo and his plot to take over the world (cue Pinky and the Brain meme.) I was relieved to see that he’s a recently-elevated cardinal, hand-picked by Pope Francis, and that the previous Pope Leo had some pro-labor cred. Grew up in urban America in my generation so he is likely to not be a total misogynist and to understand birth control as a part of economic self-determination. Let’s watch how it unfolds.
In 1978, when Poland's underground labor activist Lech Walesa was forming the predecessor to the Polish Solidarity union that put the overthrow of Poland's dictatorship into play, the Vatican elected a Polish Cardinal, Karol Józef Wojtył, as the first non-Italian pope in over 450 years. Pope John Paul II gave an irreplaceable measure of moral legitimacy and physical protection to the rising spirit of freedom there.
I can't believe that it's an accident that a U.S.-born prelate was today democratically elected as Pope Leo. This is the year when America needs a non-partisan, unattackable moral leader to take our institutions of lawful government and those who stand up for them under his wing.
This event puts the U.S. forces of chaos and destruction of human dignity and freedom on the untenable defense where they belong, for the first time since they crawled out of Hell ten years ago. Now America’s representatives need to unite and stand united for the rules of truth, law and accountability that were the torch that’s guided us on the path toward the state of grace and humankind’s progress to which we and people everywhere could aspire.
Agree…it cannot be a mistake he’s American and not an idiot (I took out the other word I had in there.). So, now, we have another piece of wood in this fire! Impeachment?
Thanks for this article Greg. For the first time in a while, I am feeling hope, joy and relief. It’s remarkable to me that the Cardinals chose this man to be Pope: An American from Chicago. Also he was a missionary priest in Peru. I hope he will carry on Beloved Pope Francis’s work and mission as far as the poor , migrants and most lowly and lift them up. Habeum Papa( not sure this is exactly right) but “ We have a Pope! Also I feel a solidarity with him, as I am 69 and went to Catholic school till just 6 th grade in a suburb of Detroit.
Agree, Catholics are a numerous and devoted bunch, often the “cultural” ones too. My ex-bff had enough Catholic guilt for the state of Texas. Her mother had an affair with their priest and she traveled some with them. Then there was his friend who faked his death so his mother wouldn’t know he left the priesthood to marry. Told me more than I ever wanted to know about the whole kit and kabootle. She no longer “practices” but she has never escaped the guilt over anything less than perfect.
But, as you say, it’s a good omen. For them to choose a man who seems to actually believe in the good and kind things about the church is a true blessing. Enough of those who use religion to justify the most heinous verbiage and actions. Republicans have taken it to a whole other level. May (Leonard) Leo, Alito and other such cretins eat the Schitt they have tried to feed us.
Ok. Yes, I won’t name names but Father so and so used to visit the woman in our building a lot. She was pretty religious. One time I was on the way back from my public library trying to walk on a cement wall. She came up behind me and said, “Don’t be scared.” Scared the hell out of me. THEN, she hands me a small pamphlet of an American saint? Tekawathia. I still have it. Thank you for bringing up your story because I always felt just a little crazy remembering that. So that was a real thing. Of course it was. But my 8 yr old brain is still working on it.
When I first met her, I thought that she must be a drama queen making stuff up and exaggerating. But no, it was just the tip of the iceberg. I encouraged her to write because she is so bound up in the past and she has tales to tell. Her 8-year-old brain is still suffering. You have put it in perspective. Good on you.
I'm optimistic, as a cultural atheist Catholic (LOL), about the new Pope. He seems like a man who will continue the slow-moving, but effective, policies of Francis. Living close enough to Chicago to get the local news, OMG, it's been wall-to-wall coverage of the "CHICAGO CONNECTION!!!1!!!1!1" There was an interview with his older brother, who lives not far from me, who revealed Leo as a normal brought-up-as-Catholic schoolboy, who was SO into it that instead of playing cops and robbers, or with Hot Wheels, or whatever kids played in the early 60s, played priest, with an ironing board and a white sheet covering it, as an altar. A neighbor told his mother that he would be the first American Pope (!). AND he's a White Sox fan, NOT a Cubs fan as was reported early in the day after the selection. If there's any baseball fandom in this house, it's for the White Sox, no matter how much they continue to lose (over and over and over like it's their job). Mom is happy with the new Pope, so who am I to question it?
MAGA hates it because they hate everything good or empathetic in the world and have already labeled him as too woke. Pope Leo, in his first speech, called for world peace and the defeat of evil. Evil never seems to know that they are.
Yes, thank you, Greg, for your enlightening post and fascinating related personal experiences that shed a lot of light on this important historical event in world events that will impact us all, regardless of our religions and/or philosophies.
I was also so relieved to hear the news and see other important articles that the new Pope will again be a people-centered one (vs. a far-right extremist like Chairman of the Federalist Society Leo Leonard in the U.S. Grrr!). The articles were in The Guardian (which is one of the main newspapers I still subscribe to as an optional supporter), but who also offer their articles free. I'm also so happy to subscribe to you and other important writers who are available to read here on Substack!
These Guardian articles also back up some of the things you're sharing here:
I feel good about the new Pope and I’m not religious at all. He seems a good kind decent man who walks the talk, unlike Vance, Mike Johnson and other hypocrites.
"Now, again, what will happen? God only knows! Because once he’s there, he can literally do whatever he wants. "
That's what I had always heard (even before I converted to Catholicism 36 years ago), but if that were true, then Francis would have done a lot more. I think. Like when he said early in his papacy, "Who am I to judge?" about homosexuality. I THINK if he could have done whatever he wanted, he would have said we should follow the Gospels, in which Jesus makes no mention of homosexuality. (And in the rest of the massive Bible, it's only mentioned 3-4 times in each Testament, and they are all problematic for one reason or the other).
If he could have done whatever he wanted, I think divorced Catholics would officially be welcomed to participate in mass. And perhaps he would have allowed women to at least be deacons, if not as priests. (Or maybe he would have taken that step that would probably solve or at least heavily mitigate the priest shortage problem and probably go a long way to reducing the sex corruption.)
Given how the U.S. is going off the deep end, thanks to Trump, Musk, Maga, etc., it's surprising they chose an American pope. Maybe they think an American pope can bring at least Catholic MAGA back to their senses?
But thanks, Greg, for the info about the last Pope Leo; that gives me some hope about the pope.
He must be a fairly good guy. MSM is featuring stories about his allegedly having hidden a sex-abuser cleric. Same "neutral" news aggregator that, after the recent day of national protests, forgot to mention even one event. Really, first American Pope and downer coverage. Wonder why.... 🤪
"..condemned what he called the “homosexual lifestyle” and “the redefinition of marriage” as “at odds with the [ utter bullshit, mythical, ancient fairytale illusion ] #Gospel”
The only purpose of ALL #religion is to CONTROL YOUR MIND
Yesterday, I was eagerly awaiting your take and looked up the previous Pope Leo. I feel relieved and can now start my day. Your previous essay about Leonard Leo piqued my interest in the Pope’s announcement, although I am Baptist and would not normally have a huge interest. I enjoyed your assessment and the way you wrote it. Cannot get enough! Thanks for getting the word out early this morning. Enjoy your day.
😂 yes, me too. I was waiting for Greg’s comments…. Especially after his last posting.
TGIF🎉🎉🎉
Me too Greg. You are always interesting. Billserle.com
I wish blessings and success for Pope Leo XIV. I thought of your article about Names as we waited to see what name would be chosen and was pleased to hear Leo. It's also very interesting that this Pope is a relatively young man. Your book, "The Age of Unreality arrived yesterday. It's terrific!!
It crossed my mind that the choice of the name might be a dig at Leonard Leo and his ilk. If he stands firm against the Vance/ Opus Dei types it will move their stained glass Overton Window in a positive direction; it seems he will. One can hope that momentum builds for the sake of the millions who are suffering under repressive regimes, without condoning all of their dogma.
I have to admit that the first time I heard the name, I thought, "OH! Leonard Leo is going to be pissed!" Good!
Stained Glass Overton Window; 👍
Conclave elects Pope Leo XIV ! Loser claims the election was rigged, appoints 12 new disciples, peddles new Bible and issues his own Ten Commandments. MAGA Supreme Court rules in favor of the loser to make him feel better and promises him eternal salvation....... read all about it!
https://thedemlabs.org/2025/05/08/conclave-elects-pope-leo-xiv-loser-claims-election-was-rigged-peddles-new-bible-and-his-own-ten-commandments
Lapsed Catholic here, so I share your interest in the progress of the papacy. I worried that the name Leo was a nod to Leonard Leo and his plot to take over the world (cue Pinky and the Brain meme.) I was relieved to see that he’s a recently-elevated cardinal, hand-picked by Pope Francis, and that the previous Pope Leo had some pro-labor cred. Grew up in urban America in my generation so he is likely to not be a total misogynist and to understand birth control as a part of economic self-determination. Let’s watch how it unfolds.
I thought so too, but hope he is including women in the groups that have been marginalized.
In 1978, when Poland's underground labor activist Lech Walesa was forming the predecessor to the Polish Solidarity union that put the overthrow of Poland's dictatorship into play, the Vatican elected a Polish Cardinal, Karol Józef Wojtył, as the first non-Italian pope in over 450 years. Pope John Paul II gave an irreplaceable measure of moral legitimacy and physical protection to the rising spirit of freedom there.
I can't believe that it's an accident that a U.S.-born prelate was today democratically elected as Pope Leo. This is the year when America needs a non-partisan, unattackable moral leader to take our institutions of lawful government and those who stand up for them under his wing.
This event puts the U.S. forces of chaos and destruction of human dignity and freedom on the untenable defense where they belong, for the first time since they crawled out of Hell ten years ago. Now America’s representatives need to unite and stand united for the rules of truth, law and accountability that were the torch that’s guided us on the path toward the state of grace and humankind’s progress to which we and people everywhere could aspire.
Agree…it cannot be a mistake he’s American and not an idiot (I took out the other word I had in there.). So, now, we have another piece of wood in this fire! Impeachment?
Thanks for this article Greg. For the first time in a while, I am feeling hope, joy and relief. It’s remarkable to me that the Cardinals chose this man to be Pope: An American from Chicago. Also he was a missionary priest in Peru. I hope he will carry on Beloved Pope Francis’s work and mission as far as the poor , migrants and most lowly and lift them up. Habeum Papa( not sure this is exactly right) but “ We have a Pope! Also I feel a solidarity with him, as I am 69 and went to Catholic school till just 6 th grade in a suburb of Detroit.
Agree, Catholics are a numerous and devoted bunch, often the “cultural” ones too. My ex-bff had enough Catholic guilt for the state of Texas. Her mother had an affair with their priest and she traveled some with them. Then there was his friend who faked his death so his mother wouldn’t know he left the priesthood to marry. Told me more than I ever wanted to know about the whole kit and kabootle. She no longer “practices” but she has never escaped the guilt over anything less than perfect.
But, as you say, it’s a good omen. For them to choose a man who seems to actually believe in the good and kind things about the church is a true blessing. Enough of those who use religion to justify the most heinous verbiage and actions. Republicans have taken it to a whole other level. May (Leonard) Leo, Alito and other such cretins eat the Schitt they have tried to feed us.
Ok. Yes, I won’t name names but Father so and so used to visit the woman in our building a lot. She was pretty religious. One time I was on the way back from my public library trying to walk on a cement wall. She came up behind me and said, “Don’t be scared.” Scared the hell out of me. THEN, she hands me a small pamphlet of an American saint? Tekawathia. I still have it. Thank you for bringing up your story because I always felt just a little crazy remembering that. So that was a real thing. Of course it was. But my 8 yr old brain is still working on it.
When I first met her, I thought that she must be a drama queen making stuff up and exaggerating. But no, it was just the tip of the iceberg. I encouraged her to write because she is so bound up in the past and she has tales to tell. Her 8-year-old brain is still suffering. You have put it in perspective. Good on you.
Had to Google Tekakwitha…
I'm optimistic, as a cultural atheist Catholic (LOL), about the new Pope. He seems like a man who will continue the slow-moving, but effective, policies of Francis. Living close enough to Chicago to get the local news, OMG, it's been wall-to-wall coverage of the "CHICAGO CONNECTION!!!1!!!1!1" There was an interview with his older brother, who lives not far from me, who revealed Leo as a normal brought-up-as-Catholic schoolboy, who was SO into it that instead of playing cops and robbers, or with Hot Wheels, or whatever kids played in the early 60s, played priest, with an ironing board and a white sheet covering it, as an altar. A neighbor told his mother that he would be the first American Pope (!). AND he's a White Sox fan, NOT a Cubs fan as was reported early in the day after the selection. If there's any baseball fandom in this house, it's for the White Sox, no matter how much they continue to lose (over and over and over like it's their job). Mom is happy with the new Pope, so who am I to question it?
MAGA hates it because they hate everything good or empathetic in the world and have already labeled him as too woke. Pope Leo, in his first speech, called for world peace and the defeat of evil. Evil never seems to know that they are.
And talked of bridges, not walls!
Yes, thank you, Greg, for your enlightening post and fascinating related personal experiences that shed a lot of light on this important historical event in world events that will impact us all, regardless of our religions and/or philosophies.
I was also so relieved to hear the news and see other important articles that the new Pope will again be a people-centered one (vs. a far-right extremist like Chairman of the Federalist Society Leo Leonard in the U.S. Grrr!). The articles were in The Guardian (which is one of the main newspapers I still subscribe to as an optional supporter), but who also offer their articles free. I'm also so happy to subscribe to you and other important writers who are available to read here on Substack!
These Guardian articles also back up some of the things you're sharing here:
1) "What will the new pope be like? He’s chosen to be called Leo: that’s no accident": https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/may/08/what-will-the-new-pope-be-like-hes-chosen-to-be-called-leo-thats-no-accident
2) "Robert Francis Prevost becomes Pope Leo XIV as cardinals elect first US pontiff"
Leo says ‘evil will not prevail’ as he addresses crowd of 100,000 pilgrims and tourists in St Peter’s Square"https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/may/08/white-smoke-signals-election-of-new-roman-catholic-pope
3) "An American has become pope. Will he be the moral leader we desperately need?"
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/may/09/pope-leo-xiv-moral-leadership
In addition to your posts and others about him from time to time, we can also follow ongoing news about him there at:
Pope Leo XIV
Robert Francis Prevost is the first clergyman from the US to lead the Roman Catholic church, taking the name Pope Leo XIV
https://www.theguardian.com/world/pope-leo-xiv
I feel good about the new Pope and I’m not religious at all. He seems a good kind decent man who walks the talk, unlike Vance, Mike Johnson and other hypocrites.
"Now, again, what will happen? God only knows! Because once he’s there, he can literally do whatever he wants. "
That's what I had always heard (even before I converted to Catholicism 36 years ago), but if that were true, then Francis would have done a lot more. I think. Like when he said early in his papacy, "Who am I to judge?" about homosexuality. I THINK if he could have done whatever he wanted, he would have said we should follow the Gospels, in which Jesus makes no mention of homosexuality. (And in the rest of the massive Bible, it's only mentioned 3-4 times in each Testament, and they are all problematic for one reason or the other).
If he could have done whatever he wanted, I think divorced Catholics would officially be welcomed to participate in mass. And perhaps he would have allowed women to at least be deacons, if not as priests. (Or maybe he would have taken that step that would probably solve or at least heavily mitigate the priest shortage problem and probably go a long way to reducing the sex corruption.)
Given how the U.S. is going off the deep end, thanks to Trump, Musk, Maga, etc., it's surprising they chose an American pope. Maybe they think an American pope can bring at least Catholic MAGA back to their senses?
But thanks, Greg, for the info about the last Pope Leo; that gives me some hope about the pope.
He must be a fairly good guy. MSM is featuring stories about his allegedly having hidden a sex-abuser cleric. Same "neutral" news aggregator that, after the recent day of national protests, forgot to mention even one event. Really, first American Pope and downer coverage. Wonder why.... 🤪