The challenge in confining Francisco
Unfiltered Analysis:
Just when the world mourned the passing of Pope Francis, Argentine presidential ally Nicolás Márquez took to Twitter to express his displeasure with any potential successor being chosen by "affected and communist" cardinals. Márquez, who co-authored a biography of Javier Milei and is a close friend of the president, has previously displayed this divisive rhetoric. Milei himself, in his political career, has often changed his stance, even on the Pope, originally denouncing him as a communist but later toning down his criticisms post his presidency.
Speaking of Milei's flip-flopping, one might say, "People are capable of changing their minds." During his presidency, Milei went against his harsh initial views of Francis, even traveling to Rome to pay his respects, upset when media outlets suggested he arrived late. It appears the president is careful to not appear as an enemy of the pope. In the midst of mourning, Milei hosted two libertarian leaders who disdain the Pope, notably Spanish anarcho-capitalist Jesús Huerta de Soto and Argentine libertarian Alberto Benegas Lynch, who had proposed breaking ties with the Vatican during Milei's 2023 election campaign.
Meanwhile, the president's favorite streamer echoed the communist pope sentiments held by Márquez, Benegas Lynch, Huerta de Soto, and Milei. Many on the European right have categorized Francis as communist, particularly in Spain, where the clergy felt slighted by Francis, who prioritized other dialogues.
Questionable ground: Was Pope Francis really a communist?
An atheist Spanish author attempts to understand the Pope's complexities in his book, "The Madman of God at the End of the World." The author, Javier Cercas, argues that Francis's worldview was shaped by Peronism, revolutionary fervor, and the Second Vatican Council. Cercas suggests that the Pope remained a radical of the Gospel who prioritized the poor, neither fully left nor right, but adapted to the changing times.
So, what was Bergoglio at each moment of his life? Cercas' explanation is "multifaceted." He was a man driven by power, yet humble in serving the poor. The papacy brought a new metamorphosis, transforming him into a warm, exultant, and peaceful old man.
Was Bergoglio a communist pope as some claim? The label of communist may say more about our times than about Bergoglio himself, as it is used to disparage anyone who advocates for social justice. Francis, like other world leaders, changed with the changing times.
Related Topics:
- Pope Francis
- Javier Milei
- Communism
- Argentina
- Politicians
- Márquez, who shares a contentious view of potential successors of the papacy, has previously been linked to Javier Milei, an Argentine politician known for his flip-flopping stance on Pope Francis.
- Interestingly, while Milei initially denounced Francis as a communist, he later toned down his criticisms after becoming president, even visiting the Vatican to pay his respects.
- Amidst this gamut of changing opinions, some, including the president's favorite streamer, have been vocal about their views that align with Márquez's communist pope sentiments.
- Atheist author Javier Cercas, in his book "The Madman of God at the End of the World," argues that Francis's beliefs were shaped by various factors, making it debatable whether he can truly be labeled as communist.
