The Theological Ideas Of Pope Francis

Pope Francis’ “Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii Gaudium,” was published in November 2013. The document discusses several current debates occurring in the Catholic Church. First, Francis discusses the dangers of a consumeristic society and warns that the current economy is

The Catholic church and the economy is not a phrase one hears regularly. However, I am not advocating that the church join the market, rather it should address the fundamental issues in the global market, especially dealing with capitalism and imperialism. Much like in ecology, we have been aware of the widening gap between the developing world and the post-industrial world for quite a few years and yet it just continued to widen. The super wealthy are controlling and allocating the money in the world and often this leads to suffering for those who are living in a developing nation. Even when large companies provide employment for workers in developing countries, the work is often dangerous and has long hours, not to mention little pay. As a universal body, the Catholic church has the ability to speak out against this and deliberate what is closest to God’s calling for each of the nation. It would not only benefit the people in poverty, but nations which are on the brink of economic collapse across the world, including Europe. By making the church’s moral teachings on this subject clear, the church can encourage its community across the world to try and make a positive change. While this is happening on a large scale between countries, this wealth gap is also seen within a country’s economy as well. Not only will becoming more balance benefit the world, but it will support the many Catholics in the

The Roman Catholic Church has been seen, by many, as a villain in the world for many centuries. The Church’s showdown with Galileo in court is quite possibly the greatest standoff between faith and science that history has seen (Cowell). A common view of the establishment is that the Church is led by corrupt, old men who are strongly oppose scientific advancement if the science disagrees with the Church doctrine. It was all because, according to the Pope and bishops, Galileo’s “pretended discovery vitiated the whole Christian plan of salvation” (qtd. in Battershall). Coming out of the dark ages, the church had prevented scientific achievement under the belief that people’s time was better spent attempting to reach a peaceful afterlife.

The contemporary Catholic Church continues to be faced with the challenges of modernity. Often do members of the laity feel that the Church has become too rigid and dogmatic in its practice of spirituality. People in and out of the Catholic religion see the Church as a

As time constantly presses forward and the earth continues to revolve, the world will never stop progressing and adapting to better suit the needs of mankind. The evolution of religion has greatly enhanced the quality of life for humanity by providing individuals with a strong belief system that is now the foundation of many peoples’ core values. One universal religion that has undergone extensive amounts of reform is Christianity. In particular, the Catholic church is well-known for the development of their famous ecumenical council meetings that help determine the future of the church. Numerous Councils have been conducted throughout the course of history, but none more significant than the most recent, the Second Vatican Council or Vatican II. The Catholic church was operating as if it was still the medieval period and desperately needed to be modernized. Consequently, the following will reveal the Second Vatican Council and the ramifications of the agenda, history and theology evolution, significant texts, and new developments.

In a rare show of interest, the Heavens and the secular world meet under one master, a man whose legend may traverse them both. As a representative of the European community and the spiritual world, Pope Pius VII finds himself in a most unusual circumstance,

Pope Francis warned that bad exercise of authority leads to an oppressive rule which stifles growth and fosters an environment of distrust and corruption. Instead of following the examples of the Pharisees, Christians ought to help others do what is right and support them when they encounter trials.

The Catholic Church is an ancient community that has been studied and analyzed since it’s beginnings, over two-thousand years ago. When I was fourteen, I chose independently to be apart of this community and learn it’s specific, complex structure. It took me about five years to really get a grasp on the functions of the Catholic Church and the community it provides. Entering, I believed the Church was simply a place people gathered to worship, but over time it proved to be much more than that. Being a member of the Catholic community meant, not only, being literate in the language of the Church and the sacred, fundamental texts but additionally, being literate in the specific genres that help the Catholic community accomplish its goals. Some

The New York Times describes the manner in which Pope Francis has been redefining the Roman Catholic Church and Catholicism, which is consequently creating a cascade of change around the world. He speaks in deep, personal terms in regards to the effect global economy has on individuals. The environment is also high priority for the Pope, as he openly and harshly critiques its destruction. He displays love and reverence to all, regardless of their humble positions. Many individuals were skeptical of him in the beginning. However, he has remained determined in holding close to his humble nature and refuting dated ideologies. His papal mission statement calls for Catholicism to joyously open its doors to the world and its poor. This mission

Pope Francis’ ongoing journey as the head of the Roman Catholic Church has been unforeseen. In this time of significant change in social standards, the Catholic Church has also progressed forward as seen by the decision in electing its most recent head, Pope Francis. Pope Francis’ unique background, approach, and positions on issues has renewed the standards and redundancies of his title and thus distinguishes him from past popes.

The quest for truth and exploration of the bounds of human knowledge have been hallmarks of philosophical contemplation since its inception. Human knowledge and how these ways of knowing affect other aspects of being have been theorized under a multitude of schools of philosophical thought. In his work, Confessions, St. Augustine explores these hallmarks on his journey from paganism to Catholic conversion, wherein he begins to find “pleasure in the truth” (Augustine, 40). On this journey, he discovers a spectrum of human knowing, wherein empiricism, idealism, and faith based knowing, all represent different levels of understanding in relation to the “Eternal Truth”, or the all-knowing

Klein also characterized the pope as a “moral voice” on Earth, especially given his position as the leader of 1.2 billion Catholics. This, she said, puts him in a unique position to foster unity. She said Pope Francis' encyclical had a "holistic view" and thus "should be a catalyst to bring together the twin economic and climate crises, instead of treating them separately.”

In this research paper, the author will examine the theology of the Emerging Church and discuss the dangers this kind of Christianity threatens on the church as a whole.

When, in 1965, the Second Vatican Council was coming to an end, the message of Pope Paul VI aimed at sealing the closure by perpetuating St. Augustine's advise to "set forth authentic doctrine on divine revelation and how it is handed on, so that by hearing the message of salvation the whole world may believe, by believing it may hope, and by hoping it may love." (Pope Paul VI, 1965). It seems as though the Church's leader and, with him, the whole representative body of the Catholic Church had felt the imperious urge to send a new, but somehow antique message to the world. In the following, we shall attempt to analyze a few key points relating the council to specific challenges of the modern world, challenges to which some theologians have responded in a particular manner and, as such, have given course to a series of innovative ideas regarding religion today and its understanding.

Throughout the Church’s history, church membership increased when they adapted to local customs and communicated about people’s grievances. The Jesuit movement to reform the Catholic Church re-engaged a lost class; the Protestant Revolution against the Catholic Church’s corruption brought more back into the fold of God’s grace; and today, the current Pope’s humble origins and message, even on controversial issues like climate change and gay marriage, has led