The Pope RIP

I am not a catholic or a religious person. It seemed to me the Pope was more a political activist than a religious leader. What were the major themes of his activism?

NPR today emphasizing, repeatedly, over and over, his support for LGBTQ+ people and illegal aliens.

Also his rebuke of JD Vance's "charity begins at home" observations based on old Catholic doctrine.

Perhaps conservative media has a different take on the Pope's contributions to the world?

"when Francis suggested Trump’s anti-immigrant stance meant he was “not Christian,” and Trump shot back that it was “disgraceful” of the pope to question his faith."

"The week before he was hospitalized earlier this year, Francis sent an open letter to the U.S. bishops denouncing Trump’s deportation policy.“The act of deporting people who in many cases have left their own land for reasons of extreme poverty, insecurity, exploitation, persecution, or serious deterioration of the environment, damages the dignity of many men and women, and of entire families, and places them in a state of particular vulnerability and defenselessness,” he wrote."

The article in the Free Press highlighted this as Pope Francis at his best: "The congregation listened, many of them in tears, as Francis commiserated with them over their loss of homes and loved ones. He said he could not fault them if the ordeal had cost them their faith and admitted he could offer no other comfort than the Cross. “But I see Him there nailed to the cross,” he said, pointing to a crucifix. “And from there, He does not disappoint us.”

I am reminded of the wealth of millennia owned by the Catholic church when I read that he could offer no other comfort than the cross. "Sell all that you have, and follow Me" (but the Pope went away sorrowful, for he had many possessions.)