Pope Francis Reportedly Leaving Vatican at Night to Minister to Homeless of Rome Anonymously

[kpete]

A recent interview with Archbishop Konrad Krajewski, the "Almoner of His Holiness," raised speculation that the Pope joins him on his nightly trips into Rome to give alms to the poor, and it turns out that the rumors are probably true.

A knowledgable source in Rome told The Huffington Post that "Swiss guards confirmed that the pope has ventured out at night, dressed as a regular priest, to meet with homeless men and women."

Krajewski earlier said, “When I say to him ‘I’m going out into the city this evening’, there’s the constant risk that he will come with me," and he merely smiled and ducked the question when reporters asked him point-blank whether the Pope accompanied him into the city.

He's not the only Pope known for nocturnal wanderings. There are stories of Pope John XIII sneaking out to enjoy the beauty of Rome in the evenings, and reports tell of Pope Pius XII dressing as a Franciscan during WWII to help smuggle Rome's Jewish population to safety. More recently, Pope Benedict XVI popped out unannounced to visit an art exhibit.

..............................

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/12/02/pope-francis-homeless_n_4373884.html?ncid=webmail8
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2013/12/03/1259763/-Pope-Francis-Reportedly-Leaving-Vatican-at-Night-to-Minister-to-Homeless-of-Rome-Anonymously

[Berlum]

1. "Freaking Pope is a stinkin socialist." - Republicons (R)

"The freakin Pope needs to kiss off the Biblical teachings of compassion from Christ, and embrace our new, corporatized, Scientific Materialist Republicon Jayzus, Inc. (smirk) who Mr. Pope can find forgiveness with by handing over a generous donation (smirk). Just dial 1-800-Credit.Card.Republicon.Salvation.SMIRK." - Republicons (R)

[Dash87]

2. They're already saying that.

Limbaugh called the Pope a Marxist last week.

[Berlum]

3. Pope blesses & forgives the anal warts Rush Limbaugh (R) used to dodge the draft

Last edited Tue Dec 3, 2013, 02:32 PM - Edit history (2)

Offending image transformed through GRACE.

[cali]

9. hey, making fun of someone who is disfigured- what a great liberal value! NOT

[Berlum]

10. Actually, making fun of Rush. But...there's hope for all us sinners

[Laelth]

27. Awesome graphic. n/t

-Laelth

[Myrina]

4. You mean, he's actually doing his job?

OMG how dare he???

[CoffeeCat]

5. Pope Francis is amazing--and he's too good for his current psychopathic employer

I love everything about Pope Francis, the person. His gracious and compassionate nature is what this world needs. It is touching and moving to read about his acts of service.

However, the Catholic Church is an insanely evil institution. The pedophilia that went on for decades was covered up, and monster-molester priests were moved around by priests who knew that many new victims would be created. Parents of victims were paid hush money. The latests article in the LA Times details Cardinal Mahony's disgusting actions. He derailed police investigations by shuttling pedophile priests out of California (and often times out of the country). He lied to police, covered up and obstructed justice for these victims.

The article details WHY Mahony did this. Greed. He was hob knobbing with politicians, LA powerbrokers and other mucky mucks. He didn't want to jeopardize the power and influence that he had amassed in LA. http://graphics.latimes.com/mahony/

The last Pope, as well as the Vatican hierarchy conspired to cover up child sex abuse. This is a systemic, integral part of the Catholic Church. It is evil and continues to be evil.

The Catholic Church was losing credibility and power--and we all know they love their power!--so this selection of a kind, compassionate Pope Francis was a card they played purely for PR value. They had no choice. This sick institution had to pick a figurehead that would soften the damage done by pedophile catastrophe.

I am sure that Pope Francis is truly a wonderful person. I am glad that he is helping others and that he is demonstrating to the world a true example of Christ. I just hate to see him used like this, by a nest of evil, vile pedophile enablers who are only attempting to do damage control.

I think Pope Francis should stop working for mobster pedophile enablers and become a free agent.

[Humanist_Activist]

44. Was it his compassionate nature that called on him to do this?

A Jesuit cardinal has become the latest Church leader to speak out forcefully against a government’s push towards same-sex marriage, and has called on his nation’s contemplatives to pray fervently to prevent such laws.
According to an article in tomorrow’s L’Osservatore Romano, Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, the Archbishop of Buenos Aires and Primate of Argentina, has said that if a proposed bill giving same-sex couples the opportunity to marry and adopt children should be approved, it will “seriously damage the family.”
He made the statement in a letter addressed to each of the four monasteries in Argentina, asking the contemplatives to pray “fervently” that legislators be strengthened to do the right thing.

Read more: http://www.ncregister.com/blog/edward-pentin/cardinal_bergoglio_hits_out_at_same-sex_marriage#ixzz2mSovIbwk

Granted, this article is from before he was Pope, but apparently, far too many people here seem to forget this guy existed before this year.

[CoffeeCat]

67. Thanks for this....

I did not know this about Francis. I have been tuning out the catholic church and everything it says and does for some time now. I've only recently tuned in, due to the many stories about his good deeds.

Yes, that is troublesome, definitely. I am not surprised. Given the church's stance on gay marriage. I would expect that, but I didn't know that about him.

Who knows, with this institution. Maybe he's just an evil schmuck like the rest of them, parading as a do-gooder. My initial post gave him the benefit of the doubt, by suggesting that he is a decent person being used by the mobster Vatican hierarchy as last-ditch PR effort to improve their "brand."

But seriously...who knows.

I wouldn't put anything past this sick group which has committed atrocities while hiding behind religion.

Thanks for the info.

[snooper2]

6. SuperPope!

[SidDithers]

7. Oh FFS...

Start the canonization now. He's Jesus in a Renault.

Sid

[Aerows]

14. I'll take him any day

over Benedict, and I say that as a lesbian.

[bobclark86]

17. Vashta Nerada et al will be along to chastise you shortly. n/t

[Vashta Nerada]

32. Awwww.

I have a fan.

If you were here right now, I'd give you half of my Mounds bar.

[Aerows]

33. Sometimes you feel like a nut

... sometimes you don't.

[Agschmid]

37. I usually do not...

Feel like a nut that is

[Aerows]

39. I like the dark chocolate Mounds bars

personally.

[Agschmid]

40. It's good to know someone with good taste.

[Aerows]

57. Indeed

[Katashi_itto]

66. Mounds Bars are my addiction

[DisgustipatedinCA]

22. Isn't it refreshing to watch him work?

I don't think canonization is scheduled, but I'm glad to hear you're finally impressed with the guy.

[SidDithers]

23. Yeah, he's a real peach...

funny how "alleged progressives" don't seem to mind his bigotry, as long as he's stickin' it to the man.

Sid

[DisgustipatedinCA]

25. Who is alleged to be a progressive, Sid? I believe we've covered this; you know this.

You're quoting yourself, which is only appropriate when you have multiple personalities or several socks. Last time you called me an "alleged progressive", I had to explain to you that allegations would need to have been made for me to be an alleged progressive. For my part, I say it straight out--I'm a progressive, no allegations required. Since you weren't able to understand that, I've posted the information for you again. Get used to it.

[SidDithers]

26. ...

Sid

[sabrina 1]

31. Funny how, I was going to say 'alleged progressives' but I don't recall what you identify as.

Are you progressive and what defines that in your opinion? I could be wrong but I always got the impression you are not particularly fond of Progressives.

Anyhow, back to 'alleged progressives'. Funny how those who have not identified as either progressive democrats, supported a Secular Leader, a Democrat all his life who really had no excuse, when he stated he did not support equal rights for Gays. That was unbelievable coming from a US Democratic politician.

Remember that Sid? Obama on Gay Marriage. And you supported him when he stated that Gays did not have the same equal rights as Straight people regarding the right to marry.

Thankfully we 'Alleged Progressives' continued to push him toward a more enlightened position on Civil Rights. And all the time we were being attacked by the same people now claiming to be sooooo supportive of Gay Rights. It's hilarious, this is why I love the Internet!

I could be mistaken so I'll ask you again so you have a chance to correct me if I'm wrong. Did you condemn President Obama also for his anti-Gay stance on equal rights? Don't force me to go do the research, I have so much more fun things to do.

A simple answer will suffice.

a) Yes, I supported Obama's anti-gay Rights stance on marriage.

or

b) No, I felt the same way about Obama's anti-Gay Rights attitude towards Gay Marriage as I do about Pope Francis's position.

The little roly poly laughing guy is not really an answer, but if I see it I will know the answer.

[SidDithers]

43. tl:dr....nt

Sid

[RobertEarl]

58. You sure are being hard on Sid, Sabrina

Look at that, he's quite afraid now to even read. You're just a big bully to Sid. ~. Comeback, Sid. I'll protect you.

[sabrina 1]

59. Lol, I don't think I am being too hard on him. I gave him a chance to prove me wrong, didn't I??

[RobertEarl]

62. I am sure

Sure you did not mean to scare him, or bully him. But just look at his reaction: Refusal to even read your words! The poor guy needs to be treated with kid gloves. We should all be soft on Sid, he's special.

Come on back Sid, I'll try and protect you. You need my help, it's obvious!

[BootinUp]

63. Clearly he is not happy with Catholics

probably has good reason.

[sabrina 1]

64. Or Progressives, although I did give him an opportunity to correct me if I

am wrong about that.

[KurtNYC]

8. I went to a trattoria just south of the Vatican

and was there for 2 hours while the place filled up with flight crews from Delta and then hordes of Catholic priests. The Delta peeps were seated in the front section with me while most of the Vatican posse went upstairs or to the back. Great food (I picked it because it was crowded, got lucky). Had braised veal and artichokes, mushroom risotto, house wine and I some kind of chocolate torte dessert.

If the Pope came in I missed him but there was no shortage of priests there (and I learned all the dirt about Delta after the flight crews were adequately sauced).

http://www.trattoriadaluigi.com/

[0rganism]

11. the Batpope!

[MisterP]

29. don't touch the ring!

[big_dog]

74. spot on!

http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/tv/showtracker/la-et-st-stephen-colbert-compares-pope-francis-to-batman-20131204,0,765251.story#axzz2miqNxBf5

[Vashta Nerada]

12. Does he also leap buildings in a single bound and stop trains from running off the track?

[Aerows]

13. Pope Francis

kisses the head of a man with boils, washes the feet of women and drives a car with nearly 200,000 miles on it as an example of being committed to the Church and to Christ's visions.

Pope Benedict wore thousands of dollar Prada shoes, rebuked the little Sisters of the Poor and visited an art museum.

I know which one represents Jesus, and which one represented himself. Hint: It wasn't the one wearing Prada.

[cthulu2016]

15. Bogus story. Cute... but bogus.

[mr blur]

16. Come on folks, get a grip.

All this Pope adulation reminds me of when they gave Obama the Nobel Peace Prize just for not being Bush.

[nomorenomore08]

35. Lowered expectations can be a funny thing.

Compared to Benedict, this guy seems like a (literal) saint, but that tends to obscure his more questionable positions.

[Bodhi BloodWave]

42. the stance i think some here on DU holds(least its the one i hold)

Is that the current pope is as you said quite a lot better then the last one(and a few of those before as well) but he also obviously still have a few views that requires some evolving.

Personally though i believe(in a non religious way :p ) that people should credit somebody when they do something correctly and chastise when the same person does something wrong, that is much more likely to get good results in the long run then just chastising said person.

As such i don't think its so much adulation(as somebody else claimed happens here), its just that people see no problem approving of something they support even though the person might hold views they disagree with.

[nomorenomore08]

47. I get that. And I'm not firmly in the "pro" or "anti" camp myself, regarding this Pope.

I think he has the potential to do good, and to at least begin significant reforms within a backward institution. But as much as I'm trying to be cautiously optimistic here, his positions on women and gays kind of leave a bad taste in my mouth.

[Bodhi BloodWave]

49. No argument there from me

From the little i know of this pope though defeating poverty seem to be the cause closest to his heart so i can understand why he focuses mostly on that(i do hope he will improve his positions on the two causes you mentioned though in the near future, there seem to be 'some' movement but rather minimal as of yet)

[nomorenomore08]

51. Granted, even saying "Who am I to judge?" was a significant break from his predecessor.

Benedict was a hard-core bigot, no doubt channeling his Hitler Jugend roots.

[Marrah_G]

18. Nice job by the PR department

[warrprayer]

19. Rick Santorum was on my local a.m. radio station a week ago

live, hawking his failed movie "The Christmas Candle". Unfortunately for Rick, the talk host was a local liberal, who asked Rick how he reconciled Francis's message of serving the poor to his own view of Catholicism.
Rick quickly responded "He's a chemistry major, not an economist".
How strange and sad to see people on D.U. putting this Pope down.

[Marrah_G]

50. Actually, I find it stranger to see people on DU falling for it.

The church is actively fighting against progressives on equal rights for LGBT people, women's health, contraceptives, abortions right's, separation of church and state etc. None of that has changed. The ONLY thing that has changed is the face they are putting out to the public.

[SidDithers]

20. Yup. And Pope-a-palooza continues...nt

Sid

[Kurska]

21. I disagree with the pope on a lot of social issues

I don't doubt his heart is in the right place though. He genuinely seems to care about people.

[nomorenomore08]

48. +1

You summed up my feelings pretty well right there.

[Kingofalldems]

24. Republicans hate this pope.

Makes him alright in my book.

[rug]

28. And look who's keeping them company.

Right in this thread.

[Aerows]

34. This is my surprised face

Oh wait, they don't have a smiley for "not surprised at all."

[Kingofalldems]

41. I took note of that.

[distantearlywarning]

45. Yep. n/t

[Vashta Nerada]

52. Yes.

We hate his views on gay marriage.

That so makes us republicans.

[rug]

65. No, you - singular - hate anything religious in general and anything Catholic in particular.

Even to the point that you piss on him when he, remarkably, is denouncing the very economic policies the right wallows in.

Keep spreading those divisions. The republicans love it.

[Vashta Nerada]

68. I'm an atheist.

Of course I hate religions in general and Catholicism in particular. If I didn't hate them, I wouldn't be an atheist.



So Francis spoke out against capitalism. Big deal. He's supposed to. All religious leaders should hate capitalism. His social policies are atrocious. I don't need to remind you what Francis think about gay marriage and gay adoption, do I? Or what he said about priests who commit heinous crimes against children? Of course I don't need to remind you. As a host of one of the religion forums, you should know these things by now. Unless you keep your head in the sand.

[rug]

69. "Of course I hate religions in general and Catholicism in particular."

Thanks for admitting it.

But don't try to say it's because you're an atheist. There's nothing about atheism that rquires it.

That part is all you.

[Vashta Nerada]

70. Don't tell me you're surprised that an atheist hates religion.

I guess you've never heard of PZ Myers and Richard Dawkins. Both highly respected professors. Both absolutely hate religion. But you knew that. You knew most atheists hate religion.

I can see you don't give a damn about gay rights. How very christian of you.

[rug]

71. What surprises me is that you claim you hate because of atheism.

Makes you a rare bird indeed.

[Vashta Nerada]

72. Looks like you're the type of person who prefers to keep his head in the sand.

Talking to you is like talking to a child who puts his hands in his ears and screams as loud as he can until the person talking to him quits talking.

[rug]

73. I was sorely tempted to quit talking.

[big_dog]

30. all of the crooks inside the church must be freaking out, this guy is the real deal

Argentine Cardinal Bergoglio washing the feet of a woman and kissing the feet of inamates

[Glassunion]

38. I'd never let him do anything of the sort to me.

I'm way too ticklish.

[Glassunion]

36. To pass the purity test here. Should I be happy or angry at this?

If happy: this dude is alright!
If angry: this dude is a big poopie head!

[leeroysphitz]

46. What a workaholic. Must be looking for a promotion. n/t

[FarCenter]

53. Out visiting the Viale di Herpes?

[Jesus Malverde]

54. "cruising" around rome helping people no doubt...nt

[hrmjustin]

55. Hope it is true. It was common for some popes to help the poor of Rome.

He is the bishop of Rome so they are his concern.

[Blue Owl]

56. "I'm Vatman..."

n/t

[Mrdrboi]

60. Well at least he cares about the poor people.

Finally a Pope that cares about less fortunate.

[BootinUp]

61. Not surprised. This one is on a mission.

Its a laudable mission.