Editorial

Does Pope Francis really dislike Americans?

Why would we even ask this question? Well, if you saw any of the media coverage of remarks the pope made on his recent return flight from Africa recently, there were many who suggested that enmity exists between the Holy Father and American conservatives.

But what did the pope actually say? I quote both the question and the response at some length so that we are considering the truth of the matter and not provocative speculation.

Reporter Jason Horowitz of The New York Times asked Pope Francis this question:

“Obviously, there is strong criticism from some [American] bishops and cardinals, there are Catholic television stations and American websites that are very critical. And there are even some of your closest allies who have spoken of a plot against you. Is there something that these critics do not understand about your pontificate? … Are you afraid of a schism in the American Church? And if so, is there something that you could do—a dialogue—to keep it from happening?”

The pope responded:

“First of all, criticism always helps, always. When someone receives criticism, that person needs to do a self-critique right away and say: is this true or not? To what point? And I always benefit from criticism. Sometimes it makes you angry. … But there are advantages.

“… Criticisms are not coming only from the Americans, they are coming a bit from everywhere, even from the curia.

“At least those that say them have the benefit of the honesty of having said them. I do not like it when criticism stays under the table: they smile at you letting you see their teeth, and then they stab you in the back. That is not fair, it is not human. Criticism is a component in construction, and if your criticism is unjust, be prepared to receive a response, and get into dialogue, and arrive to the right conclusion. This is the dynamic of true criticism.

“… To criticize without wanting to hear a response and without getting into dialogue is not to have the good of the Church at heart. … This is clear: a fair criticism is always well received, at least by me.

“Secondly, the problem of the schism: within the Church there have been many schisms.

“… In the Church there is always the option for schism, always. But it is an option that the Lord leaves to human freedom. I am not afraid of schisms.

I pray that there will be none, because what is at stake is people’s spiritual health. Let there be dialogue, let there be correction if there is an error, but the schismatic path is not Christian.

“… A schism is always an elitist separation stemming from an ideology detached from doctrine. It is an ideology, perhaps correct, but that engages doctrine and detaches it. … And so I pray that schisms do not happen, but I am not afraid of them.”

Where does the pope say he dislikes Americans—even conservative Americans? It was the Times reporter who set up the discussion, asserting that the pope is “under attack by a segment of the American Church,” and posing the threat of schism. The Holy Father answered honestly and responsibly, but without rancor. He also made it clear that criticism comes from many sources, including from members of his own staff.

Why turn this into an anti-American slur? Why give the impression that a segment of the Church in America is actively seeking a schism?

The answer is found in the human tendency—often found among journalists—to accent the negative.

Pope Francis has often spoken against the evils of gossip and the sordid delight that is taken in spreading scandal. The pope has regularly challenged journalists—and all of us who serve in the communications field—to be humble and truthful in our approach to informing readers, listeners and viewers about issues of concern to society and to the Church.

In an address to journalists last May, the pope said, “Yours is an indispensable role, and this also gives you a great responsibility. It asks of you a particular care for the words you use in your articles, for the images you transmit in your services, for everything you share on social media.”

The Holy Father continued saying that humble journalism does not mean mediocre journalism, but rather the awareness “that through an article, a tweet, a live television or radio program, you can do good, but also if you are not careful and scrupulous, evil to others and sometimes to entire communities.”

Suggesting that the pope dislikes Americans is a distortion of what Pope Francis said. It also does harm to an entire community.

—Daniel Conway