Will we listen to Pope Francis?

What effect might the Pope’s visit have on the United States? Will they listen to him or not? There are a number of barriers in the way of the US really hearing what the Pope says.

Sep 24, 2015

By Fr Thomas Reese, SJ,
What effect might the Pope’s visit have on the United States? Will they listen to him or not? There are a number of barriers in the way of the US really hearing what the Pope says.

First, it is going to take some time. The Pope is giving a number of important speeches, principally to a joint session of Congress, to the US bishops and to the United Nations. But, there will also be interesting speeches at the White House and, of course, his homilies at the Masses in Washington, New York and Philadelphia. Will the American public have the patience to sit through these, especially when some of them are in Spanish with simultaneous translations?

Second, even if we watch the speeches, will we actually hear what he says? There is polling data that show that many people think that the Pope agrees with them on a series of issues when, in fact, he does not. We easily tune out disagreements and emphasize agreements. This could be a problem for the progressives.

Third, many people will never get around to listening to, or reading, the Pope’s addresses. They will get his message second hand through reporters and commentators. Reporters must simplify and summarize complex thoughts quickly and briefly. And commentators have their own agenda, so they will be tempted to spin the Pope’s words for their own purposes.

Fourth, there is the temptation to focus on what the Pope does not say and make that the story. Some reporters kept pressing me on what the Pope will say about birth control, women’s ordination and gay marriage. The answer is: little to nothing. If we are so focused on listening for what he has to say on a narrow list of issues, we may miss what he actually says.

The final hurdle to being moved by the Pope’s words are their own partisan biases. The United States is so divided by partisan views that some, especially conservatives, will quickly write off the Pope when he strays from their political orthodoxy on immigration, climate change, or capitalism.

Despite all these hurdles, the Pope can have a significant impact while he is in the United States.

First, he is going to be greeted with affection and respect by most of the American public. His approval ratings are very high, the kind of numbers politicians would kill for. It is easier to listen to someone that you love and respect.

People are responding to Francis because they see a man who not only talks the talk, but walks the walk. He practices what he preaches. He is the real deal. He is authentic. He is not trying to sell himself, as do most politicians and celebrities; he is selling Jesus and the Gospel.

A second reason the Pope’s message may get through is that the media loves him. Catholic, ex-Catholic, non-Catholic, even nonbelieving journalists love the Pope. Everyday they have to deal with egomaniacs and it is so refreshing for them to cover someone they can truly admire.

The third reason the Pope’s message may get through is that Francis is an extraordinary communicator, both in words and in actions. He knows how to use simple language to communicate. He is not afraid to use graphic images when speaking. He avoids academic language and abstractions. He preaches the Gospel, not the Catechism. He is more interested in how people live their faith than how they articulate it.

As a person of faith, I also have to believe that the Spirit will be there, drawing people to the words of Francis. Like most priests, before I preach, I bow before the altar and pray to God that he might use my words to inspire people to hear his Word, not mine. Ultimately, it is all about the Spirit. Will their hearts be touched when Francis talks about the compassion and love of God and our responsibility to respond to that love by loving one another, especially the poor?

Source: NCR

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