Friday, March 29, AD 2024 9:22am

PopeWatch: Papal Gaffes

VATICAN-POPE-AUDIENCE

 

The hoof in mouth aspect of this papacy has attracted the attention of the BBC:

Pope Francis has made a big impact on the Catholic Church since he was elected in 2013, and been widely praised for his no-nonsense approach and human touch.

But his off-the-cuff remarks have sometimes provoked criticism.

Here are some examples.

 

 

 

The examples cited by the BBC aren’t very good and only a few of them are truly gaffes.  However, it is significant that the mainstream media is taking note of the ability of Pope Francis to drop the opposite of bon mots virtually every week. Everyone makes gaffes, but few of us not named Joe Biden are as gaffe prone as Pope Francis.  To counteract this he should use prepared texts as much as possible.  Since he has not done so up to this point, I do not expect him to do so.  At 78 it is probably expecting too much for him to change his style.  Next time perhaps the Holy Spirit might help the Conclave to choose a Pope who knows the virtues of silence?

0 0 votes
Article Rating
31 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Michael Dowd
Michael Dowd
Friday, February 27, AD 2015 4:48am

Perhaps it’s just his way of being human? Maybe it will help him to be more humble?
Lord have mercy on us all!

Phillip
Phillip
Friday, February 27, AD 2015 6:55am

“Next time perhaps the Holy Spirit might help the Conclave to choose a Pope who knows the virtues of silence?”

Or who takes his Ritalin.

Patricia
Patricia
Friday, February 27, AD 2015 7:02am

In trying again, and again, to be ‘all things to all people’, or ‘sort of telling them what they want to hear’, while cherry picking from the full teaching of Jesus, such as this inspires the world, while the glory of Heaven, and the One Holy Apostolic Church remains waiting.

Mary De Voe
Friday, February 27, AD 2015 10:44am

This post is so well written.
.
I am thinking that perhaps Pope Francis ought to use a teleprompter.

Philip
Philip
Friday, February 27, AD 2015 12:24pm

Pope Francis should consider early retirement. Seriously!

Penguins Fan
Penguins Fan
Friday, February 27, AD 2015 8:19pm

Philip, I’ve been hoping for that almost from Day 1 of this pontificate.

Mary De Voe
Friday, February 27, AD 2015 9:15pm

Philip: “Seriously”

CAM
CAM
Friday, February 27, AD 2015 11:33pm

Just a thought from a layman: Speaking out of turn may be a sign of beginning dementia.

Frankie-boy
Frankie-boy
Saturday, February 28, AD 2015 3:02am

PERHAPS THE FIRST ‘GAFFE’ YOU ATTRIBUTE TO POPE FRANCIS IS NOT FAR OFF THE TRUTH. EUROPE IS IN FACT, ‘A SPENT FORCE’ – SPIRITUALLY, MORALLY, POLITICALLY, AND CULTURALLY. IT IS DYING ON IT’S FEET. THE WHOLE OF EUROPE IS BECOMMING MORE AND MORE SECULARISED WITH A CATASTROPHIC LOSS OF FAITH AND VIRTUALLY PAGAN, A PEOPLE THAT WILL KILL PRE-BORN BABIES IN THE WOMB, ALLOW OTHERS TO FREELY TO COMMIT SUICISDE, MARRIAGE – ON THE ROCKS, BABIES – RATHER SURPLUS AND CAN BE LEGALLY DESTORYED BEFORE DEATH; I COULD GO ON BUT WHO WILL LISTEN!

Dan Curry
Dan Curry
Saturday, February 28, AD 2015 8:47am

The worst one to me was when he said that not only does he not support the death penalty, as a potential punishment for murder ….he doesn’t support a life punishment for murder either!!Give me a break!! THAT argument blows the lid off the anti death penalty stance of the more recent church thinking that we don’t need the death penalty to protect society because life without parole would keep the bad guy in the slammer away from other victims! (I guess to heck with victims’ families who would hardley think “Justice” would allow for a possible release – thanks to the Pope’s weird statement). The more gaff prone he is, the more we are prompted to disregard some of his other, more CATHOLIC !!! utterances.

Ezabelle
Ezabelle
Saturday, February 28, AD 2015 3:56pm

He speaks from the heart. He is politically incorrect. He gives his honest view on issues. He’s unashamedly flawed. How refreshing!

Sydney O. Fernandes
Sydney O. Fernandes
Saturday, February 28, AD 2015 10:46pm

Ezabelle: “He speaks from the heart….etc.” And forgets he is the Pope. Scarcely the material to refresh anybody. There is scant merit in trumpeting one’s flaws, nor wearing the latter like so many fools-gold medals.

Ezabelle
Ezabelle
Saturday, February 28, AD 2015 11:51pm

Sydney O Fernandes wrote: “Scarcely the material to refresh anybody.”

Speak for yourself. Don’t speak for me or the rest of the Catholic faithful.

Barbara Gordon
Barbara Gordon
Sunday, March 1, AD 2015 3:33am

Ezabelle said: “Speak for yourself. Don’t speak for me or the rest of the Catholic faithful.”

Sydney didn’t say or imply in any manner that he was speaking for you or anyone else. It helps to respond to what is actually written and not one’s mind/emotions read into what is written.

Accusing someone of something they did not say is a transparent method of false condemnation. And an attempt to change the subject. I grow very tired of such things at times on this and other blogs in general.

Ezabelle
Ezabelle
Sunday, March 1, AD 2015 5:05am

Sydney O Fernandes wrote: “Scarcely the material to refresh anybody.”

Anybody? His comment that the Popes approach is not refreshing to “anybody” is a generalisation. If you don’t like the Popes approach, then that’s your prerogative. Don’t make the assumption that others feel the same way.

Don’t speak for me- a Catholic. State your opinion as your opinion. Dont assume that the Popes style is not resonating to “anybody”. Because there is no way you can know that.

Barbara its clear that you don’t like others stating that they like the Pope- it must get under your skin.

I’m sick of stating on blogs that I like Pope Francis and getting attacked and belittled for it- like you, Barbara have, and like Sydney has.

Barbara Gordon
Barbara Gordon
Sunday, March 1, AD 2015 9:24am

“‘Scarcely the material to refresh anybody.’ Anybody? His comment that the Popes approach is not refreshing to’anybody’ is a generalisation. If you don’t like the Popes approach,”

Again, where did he say he was speaking for you and other Catholics in the quote above. What you infer in your brain is not logical in this instance. A generalization about “anybody” being refreshed doesn’t equate to speaking for you and other Catholics.

And predictably: “Barbara its clear that you don’t like others stating that they like the Pope- it must get under your skin.”

Now you are inferring motives & thoughts to me as well. *big slow bored yawn*

Please reread my thoughts about people doing exactly what you are doing–AGAIN–this time involving me. Lol.

Don doesn’t like for his blogs to get off topic.

Sydney O. Fernandes
Sydney O. Fernandes
Sunday, March 1, AD 2015 11:07am

Ezabelle: (lots of words above): How amusing! (to me, that is!!) As Barbara Gordon says, Don doesn’t like for his blogs to get off topic. RIP (the drift-offs, that is!)

Stephen E Dalton
Stephen E Dalton
Sunday, March 1, AD 2015 11:55am

Ezabelle, your Opus Dei education is showing. You just don’t like it when Pope Sliplips is criticized for his foolish remarks. Who are you to judge?

Ezabelle
Ezabelle
Sunday, March 1, AD 2015 2:11pm

Lol and now you speak for Don. You might want to deal with that bee in your bonnet and try and stay on topic.

I’m stating my opinion. Deal with it.

Ezabelle
Ezabelle
Sunday, March 1, AD 2015 2:13pm

Sydney- I’m glad I brightened your day.

Ezabelle
Ezabelle
Sunday, March 1, AD 2015 2:14pm

Stephen- I like the Pope. You don’t. Happy to leave it at that. Stop attacking.

Anzlyne
Anzlyne
Sunday, March 1, AD 2015 3:09pm

To me it is not a matter of “liking” the pope or not. the pope’s gaffes ( some harmless, while the effects of others really remains to be seen) are of concern to anyone who “likes” Jesus and His Catholic Church.
.
The gaffes are of concern, because God is Love and the misdirection that can come from careless speaking from such a bully pulpit is Not Good. Also, tho the phone calls and the baptisms etc are not spoken gaffes, they are statements of his imprudent works. I don’t dislike him personally, tho it is getting harder for me to maintain that disposition.
.
God is Love and Love does not minimize good judgment or the need to discern truth carefully. Mercy follows judgment. Mercy is not indiscriminate, or else it is not mercy at all.
No Ezabelle, he does need to be more careful. I don’t want, and I don’t think anyone- wants to criticize him unjustly.
.
We can pray for him and all the constant pressure he is under. I am wondering if you think there are some people who are in a position to influence him, who are criticizable?

Anzlyne
Anzlyne
Sunday, March 1, AD 2015 3:25pm

Ezabelle, please see W. Walsh comments filed under “I might as well turn myself in now” yesterday. 🙂

Philip
Philip
Sunday, March 1, AD 2015 3:27pm

It’s funny…sort of. If folks that have been away from the sacraments for years come back to them for (?) reasons unbeknownst, it’s a good thing…true?
I wonder about PF having an effect on those that have drifted away. If they return and are fed the truth, they are indeed grateful for the reversion. If in their newly found desire to aim higher in their faith journey than they too could come to the realization that the Pope is to defend faith doctrine and dogma.
They too could come to the understanding that conversions reversions and strengthening souls must be founded on Christ and His Church.
An error in the beginning is an error indeed, and the less errors the Pope makes the better for Christs faithful.
Clear teachings that have been faithfully taught and believed do not need to be tweaked to conform to the current fashion. This pontificate is dangerously close to loose more souls than gain.
Ezabelle. Your opinions are yours. True.
Your opinions do not have the same impact that the pontiff’s opinions may have on souls. Praise God for that Ezabelle. Peace.

Ezabelle
Ezabelle
Sunday, March 1, AD 2015 3:47pm

Yes Anzlyne, I agree the Pope is not immune to criticism at all. AT ALL. He should be criticised. Personally I don’t think he says enough to defend the Christians in the Middle East. I think this is a more serious matter than gaffes- like offending the elderly over calling Europe an infertile old woman. Who cares?

But in terms of style- I warm to this Pope. I like his ad lib style. This style- to me- is transparent- with its flaws and all. And I suspect many Catholics (not all) warm to Pope Francis.

I don’t understand when people ride him off as a Pope completely by assuming his style is totally ineffective as a leader. This is a huge generalisation. Which I don’t think has any merit.

Ezabelle
Ezabelle
Sunday, March 1, AD 2015 3:49pm

Thanks Phillip. I understand your point. I will pray for the Pope.

Ezabelle
Ezabelle
Sunday, March 1, AD 2015 3:53pm

Anzlyne- how could you not “like” Jesus- 😉

Stephen E Dalton
Stephen E Dalton
Sunday, March 1, AD 2015 5:07pm

Ezabelle, the Pope is supposed to be the leader of the Church and the main teacher of the faith. His stupid, asinine, off the cuff remarks are not the mark of a good teacher. He should only open his mouth to explain what the Church actually believes in faith and morals. He should keep his mouth shut about his personal opinions and feelings about something.

Ezabelle
Ezabelle
Sunday, March 1, AD 2015 5:13pm

Stephen- Such venom.

Ezabelle
Ezabelle
Sunday, March 1, AD 2015 9:48pm

Stephen- “He should only open his mouth to explain what the Church actually believes in faith and morals. He should keep his mouth shut about his personal opinions and feelings about something.”

Brilliant!!

Why don’t we just have a mechanical robot with a pre-programmed CD we can plug in and it can rattle off the CCC.

There. That will solve all of our Pope issues.

Stephen E Dalton
Stephen E Dalton
Monday, March 2, AD 2015 9:17am

Ezebelle, his personal opinions always cause trouble because he’s almost always mocking Catholic piety, (rosary counters) or making remarks that undermine Catholic morality. (His famous, “Who am I to judge” remark about homo’s) As far as I’m concerned, being “a mechanical robot with a pre-programmed CD” would solve a lot of problems with this Pope. At least there wouldn’t be people rambling and scrambling to ‘explain’ what he was saying.

Discover more from The American Catholic

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading

Scroll to Top