On March 31st Irina Faskianos, a vice president at The Council on Foreign Relations (CFR), held a one-hour conference call with Father Thomas Reese, SJ, the former editor-in-chief of America on the topic "Pope Francis and the Catholic Church." There were participants, especially from universities and institutions across the country, who participated in this fascinating conversation.

Father Reese opened the conversation by reflecting on the last two years since Pope Francis was elected on March 13, 2013. He spoke about the 71% favorable rating the Pope presently holds among all Americans. Interestingly, he holds a 90% favorable rating in the minds of American Catholics and, unbelievably, among those Catholics who identify themselves as conservative, they even like Francis better giving him a 94% positive rating. Reese went on to say that it is only among the so-called "talking heads" on conservative media who are critical of the Pope.

In the mind of Reese, Francis has changed the Pope's persona across the world. He is re-branding Catholicism. The Church is no longer seen as being obsessed by the issues of contraception, homosexuality and the like. Though these matters are not being dismissed, Francis has preferred to focus on the poor. He speaks about wanting a Church For the Poor and a Church of the Poor.  

In this regard, Francis has spoken often very critically about capitalism and globalization, seeing both as fostering materialism, hedonism and libertarian views regarding economics and politics. He has wondered about the enslavement of poorer nations by the wealthier ones. In the mind of Francis, a job is essential for a person's human dignity and the capability of making a living and providing for one's family. Therefore, the market place should be focused on creating jobs for people.  For this reason, he favors a greater role for government involvement in the economy to foster jobs.

A good part of Reese's own reflections, as well as his responses to people's questions, dealt with how he perceives this Pope as a vital leader on the issue of the environment. He speculated at length regarding what will be in the Encyclical on the Environment that Francis is writing and that many Catholics and non-Catholics are keenly anticipating. Francis is approaching this major topic from a deeply religious and moral perspective with a special focus on how the continuing damage of the environment is impacting particularly the poor and God's faithful people. In Reese's estimate, the message that the Pope will offer to the world will call for a dramatic cultural change, even a serious conversion on the part of everyone.

Reese also responded to a number of questions dealing with the 500th Anniversary of Luther's Reformation, the Pope's trip to Lampadusa, interreligious dialogue, evangelicals, Africa, and the Pope's coming visit to the UN in September.  It is evident that Reese is very supportive of much of what Francis is doing. However, there was one issue in which Reese was holding out on giving a grade to Francis. He was still waiting for Francis to work more definitively on the sexual abuse crisis, especially in reference to bishops who have failed to live up to the standards required in today's Church. Reese mentioned specifically Bishop Robert Finn of Kansas City Diocese who was found guilty in a civil law court case of allowing an abusive priest to remain in ministry. Reese called for Finn to resign and wondered why Francis has not removed Finn from his office.

For those who would like to listen to this interview with Father Tom Reese, please go to this link: Pope Francis and the Catholic Church.

Gratefully in the Risen Christ,