An aspect of living in a world with globally available mass media is that we can see celebrities -- including Popes -- and consider it so commonplace. Since popes are elderly, it also means we get to see these public figures age and become frail. For my lifetime, I first noticed this with John Paul II. I watched, through news reports, someone slowly decline. I saw it again with Benedict XVI, and now with Francis. I do hope Francis is able to continue his priestly celebrations of sacraments, even if they're not done in front of large audiences and broadcast to little ol' me halfway around the world.
It makes me think about how different it is to be a Catholic in the age of global media. A thousand years ago, the average Christian wouldn't have any idea what the pope looked like, nor what the pope's opinions on news matters were, nor how the pope was doing healthwise day-to-day. He/she probably wouldn't even know the pope's name. Nowadays? Very different!
Thank you, Phil, for the info about the Pope not celebrating Mass publicly. I had no idea, and I would guess people aren't upset because most people don't know! I know I've never looked closely into such things, at least. When I googled about the Mass in East Timor, the headlines even from Catholic and conservstive outlets lead one to think the Pope was the celebrant. EWTN's headline is "Pope Francis' Mass in East Timor Draws 600,000." From Catholic Votes its, "Estimated 600,000 attend Mass celebrated by Pope Francis in East Timor."
Exactly. The Vatican routinely announces that the Pope will "celebrate" Mass, even when he is not the principal celebrant. The distinction is easy to miss. But after two years, the situation cries out for explanation.
An aspect of living in a world with globally available mass media is that we can see celebrities -- including Popes -- and consider it so commonplace. Since popes are elderly, it also means we get to see these public figures age and become frail. For my lifetime, I first noticed this with John Paul II. I watched, through news reports, someone slowly decline. I saw it again with Benedict XVI, and now with Francis. I do hope Francis is able to continue his priestly celebrations of sacraments, even if they're not done in front of large audiences and broadcast to little ol' me halfway around the world.
It makes me think about how different it is to be a Catholic in the age of global media. A thousand years ago, the average Christian wouldn't have any idea what the pope looked like, nor what the pope's opinions on news matters were, nor how the pope was doing healthwise day-to-day. He/she probably wouldn't even know the pope's name. Nowadays? Very different!
Leila, thank you for sharing the beautiful St Francis de Sales treatise. He's wonderful.
You're welcome! He is amazingly wise!
Wonderful as always! Thank you!
Thank you, Phil, for the info about the Pope not celebrating Mass publicly. I had no idea, and I would guess people aren't upset because most people don't know! I know I've never looked closely into such things, at least. When I googled about the Mass in East Timor, the headlines even from Catholic and conservstive outlets lead one to think the Pope was the celebrant. EWTN's headline is "Pope Francis' Mass in East Timor Draws 600,000." From Catholic Votes its, "Estimated 600,000 attend Mass celebrated by Pope Francis in East Timor."
Exactly. The Vatican routinely announces that the Pope will "celebrate" Mass, even when he is not the principal celebrant. The distinction is easy to miss. But after two years, the situation cries out for explanation.