A Letter to Pope Francis

Last updated on: December 5, 2017 at 7:55 pm by Matthew Distefano

A Letter to Pope Francis 2017-12-05T19:55:51-06:00 Matthew Distefano

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pope Dear Pope Francis,

First and foremost, welcome to the United States of America. I have heard this is your first trip to our shores and I hope it is a successful one. Your visit is a welcomed one for me as it comes at a crucial time in our nation’s history. In fact, this is a crucial period in world history for many reasons, which I will get into in this letter.

As you well know, our country is greatly divided on matters of politics. There is also a widening economic gap between the “haves” and the “have nots,” an increase in racial tension due in large part to the rise in police brutality, and sadly, immense scapegoating of the LGBT community and the Muslim faith. Because of our autonomous view of the self here in the US, we seem to care little for the “other.” Instead of taking the view that we are interdividuals, as fellow Catholic René Girard argued, we, broadly speaking, think of ourselves in purely individualistic terms. This mentality has played a large role in the “me first” perspective of many citizens here. And as such, we have suffered.

In addition to the larger issues of this country—which also includes how we are to address climate change—we even seem to fight over who can attend your functions at the White House. Some have argued that allowing “pro choice” and “pro gay rights” activists to attend your event is anti-Christian. However, your compassionate stance on so many issues looks beyond hyperbolic political rhetoric to human need, and suggests to me that you would welcome all listeners regardless of ideology. Thus, while some may have a dissenting voice against your arrival, I for one, welcome you with open arms.

If I may be frank, prior to your papacy, I paid little attention to what the Pope had to say. It is not that I disliked the tradition per se; I just found little interest in yet another religious authority’s views. However, with you, it is different. You are arguably the most powerful figure in the world but still seem to “live on the edge of the inside,” as Fr. Richard Rohr would say. I can relate to that position.

The primary stance of yours that I relate to is your passion for helping the poor. I appreciate that you view the world from the bottom up, rather than from the top down. Your ethics seem to line up with those of Jesus, which unfortunately does not happen enough in Christendom. Here in the US, Christian ethics seem more synonymous with crony capitalism and, as I alluded to before, rabid individualism. To stand hand in hand with the poor, the oppressed, and the downtrodden is to stand hand in hand with Christ himself—at least according to Jesus (Matthew 25:40 – 45).

In addition to your stance on ethics, you have an overall inclusive nature to your theology. This greatly resonates with me. As a Christian Universalist, I am in an interesting place within Christianity. On one hand, I hold Jesus in the highest of esteems but on the other hand, am often accused of diminishing the urgency of “accepting Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior.” So, when you are quoted as saying the following, I understand the disconnect some have.

The Lord has redeemed all of us, all of us, with the Blood of Christ: all of us, not just Catholics. Everyone! ‘Father, the atheists?’ Even the atheists. Everyone! And this Blood makes us children of God of the first class. We are created children in the likeness of God and the Blood of Christ has redeemed us all. And we all have a duty to do good. And this commandment for everyone to do good, I think, is a beautiful path towards peace.

However, in spite of others’ disconnect with a theology that is more inclusive than most are comfortable with, I find it to be the most Christ-centered. And for you to take such an inclusive stance—whether you should be labeled “universalist” or not—is quite bold for a man in your position. I applaud that!

Although I could go on and on about the issues humanity is facing, I would like to mention just one last topic, which is that of climate change. This issue has been at the forefront of political debate for some time now and while some who profit from fossil fuel lobbies would like you to hush up about it, I say: “keep talking!” We live on a fragile planet and everyone—yes, everyone!—is affected. From the “Pacific Garbage Patch,” to places like Fukushima and Chernobyl; from the deforestation of our rain forests to the perpetual state of drought here in California, change needs to happen now. If the change that is far past due actually happens, we all have people like you to thank.

So, preemptively: “Thank you!”

In closing, I hope that your visit goes off without a hitch. More profoundly, however, is that I hope your visit impacts others to take a stand in the name of peace, in the name of unity, and in the name of love. We all have different traditions, cultures, and beliefs but what makes us similar is that we are all made in the image of our Abba. You recognize that and it is a beautiful thing to witness. Keep the faith. Keep spreading the message of peace. Continue loving the “least of these.”

Peace and blessings,

Matthew J. Distefano

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