How This Jew Feels About The New Pope

(In A Word- Glad)

Being Jewish, I freely admit that I don’t know a whole lot about the papacy. I began watching “Conclave” a few weeks ago, but I have not yet finished it. I will definitely go back to it though (after a cup of coffee) because it’s informative - I had no idea how a new pope was chosen. Also, it has a really great cast.

Anyway, after I heard that 69-year-old Cardinal Robert Prevost was chosen, I started reading a little bit about him. A citizen of both the United States and Peru, Prevost was close to Pope Francis, which bodes well. And the papal name he chose, Pope Leo XIV, suggests he will follow the teachings of Pope Leo XIII, who fought for workers’ rights and called for the church to address social and economic issues.

I also like that Prevost rejected Vance’s notion that love should be prioritized. He wrote that, “JD Vance is wrong. Jesus doesn’t ask us to rank our love for others.” Excellent.

Again, I am certainly no expert on Jesus and his principles. But what I do know strongly suggests that he would frown upon what is going on. That the poor should be made poorer so that the rich can get even richer. That human beings should be dehumanized and mocked. That the public should be deceived. I’ve heard the question, “What would Jesus do?” enough to know he wouldn’t do any of the things that MAGA right is doing.

Evilness is often perpetrated in the name of religion. And G-d. But I cannot believe in any G-d that would purport such cruelty. The G-d in which I believe wants us to welcome the stranger, promote love and understanding, help others, give to the needy, speak the truth, not mock others, etc. Values that are certainly not being demonstrated by Trump and co. If there is a heaven, I can’t imagine any of that lot is getting in. G-d: “Well you lied 1000 times each day, ridiculed a disabled reporter, got rich from cheating people, broke pretty much every Commandment, so yeah, no heaven for you. Hope you enjoy hell.”

Jewish, Christian, Muslim, etc. - we have different traditions but yet if we follow religion to its innermost intent, I believe with all my heart it does not resemble the current Republican Party. And when they act self-righteous and pretend it is because they are good Christians, it feels disingenuous. And icky.

And so, before this Shabbat on a very rainy day in May, I feel happy about the new choice for Pope. Although it may not affect me personally, it does affect me. Because I am a creature of this Earth. And one who prays for a better future for all of us.

Shabbat Shalom.