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Siena Popescu
Mrs. Lucarelli
Comparative Civilizations
9 November 2015
Influence of Christianity in America Through Pope Franciss Visit
Pope Francis is the Bishop of Rome, the head of state of Vatican City, and the leader of
the Roman Catholic Church, which has more than 1.25 billion followers (Glatz 1). His papacy,
the Popes office, has been described as one of the most enduring and influential of all human
institutions (Collins 1). In the Keepers of the Keys of Heaven: a History of the Papacy it states,
No one who seeks to make sense of modern issues within Christendom - or, indeed, world
history - can neglect the vital shaping role of the popes (Collins 2).
The Popes visit to the United States was a significant event in itself. Of 226 popes who
led Christianity since 33 AD, only four popes ever traveled to the U.S. (Papal Visits to the United
States 1). However, what is even more significant is the impact of Pope Francis visit on
Americas politics and Christianity. This visit will continue affecting public opinion, the
upcoming presidential election, and religious beliefs in the country. The Popes argument that
humans influence on climate change, wealth distribution, and for the Church to embrace the
gays, lesbians, and transgenders, all sparked arguments that he is a Marxist and is trying to
change the Church greatly. (Thomas 1).
Pope Francis agreed with the liberals in the U.S. who believe that people are responsible
for climate change. (Burke 1.) Most conservatives strongly disagree and state there is no concrete
evidence to support the idea. According to conservatives and many scientists, climate change is
only part of a natural cycle that is neither caused nor affected by humans in any significant way.

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(Conservative Media vs. The Pope: The Worst Reactions To Pope Francis' Climate Change
Encyclical 1.) He clearly strays from the Churchs traditional position that God, not mankind,
affects matters of such importance. An article from The Wall Street Journal displays this, stating,
The Vatican is acting on climate change because it fears being tagged as anti science and anti
fact, but that the church might be making a mistake by acting on unsettled science. The Church
fears being tagged as anti science and anti fact. But is the science of climate change settled? And
can a church that made a mistake with Galileo 400 years ago make another mistake by trying
desperately not to repeat the earlier one?
In addition to his position on climate change, Pope Francis made remarks that
contradicted with capitalist principles that the U.S. was founded on. He proposes wealth
redistribution from the wealthy to others less affluent. He then emphasized the need to share and
spread wealth , taking on egalitarian ideals. (Kedmey 1.) Communists propose the same thing.
(Dorfman 1.) Democrats in the country, led by President Obama, have been criticized of
promoting wealth redistribution, a socialist goal. However, it can be argued that the Church has
always encouraged wealth redistribution, starting with Jesus himself. In the King James Version
of Jesus Cleanses the Temple from the writings of John the Baptist it states, And the Jews'
passover was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem./ And found in the temple those that sold
oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting:/ And when he had made a whip of
small cords, he drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the
changers' money, and overthrew the tables (John 2: 13-15). This demonstrates the idea that the
Church may have always supported certain socialist-liberal ideals, as Jesus had once done the
same; there were always attempts to create equality for all, although none have been successful.

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Moreover, Pope Francis welcoming of gay, lesbian and transgender people into the
Church departs from traditional Christian principles and may repeat liberal ideas. Nevertheless,
the Pope, after his return to the Vatican, spoke of the need for strong family values and bonds,
returning to traditional Church doctrine. (Breitbart 1.)
The Popes visit showed his position on many current issues, which stirred controversy in
both politics and religion in the United States. The Popes statements on disputed issues which
already divide conservatives from liberals in America caused arguments that the Pope may be a
Marxist, going against the fundamentals of the nation. Within the Church, he is also said to
break ties with traditionally strong positions advocated by Christianity for over 2000 years. The
controversies growing from the Popes remarks is sure to continue to influence public opinion
even past the 2016 Presidential election.

Works Cited

Burke, Daniel. "Pope Francis and Climate Change: 5 Key Questions - CNN.com." CNN. Cable
News Network, Web. 03 Nov. 2015.

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Collins, Roger. Keeper of the Keys of Heaven: A History of the Papacy. N.p.: n.p., n.d. Print.

"Conservative Media vs. The Pope: The Worst Reactions To Pope Francis' Climate Change
Encyclical." Media Matters for America. , 18 June 2015. Web. 04 Nov. 2015.

Glatz, Carol, and Catholic News Server. "Vatican Statistics Show Modest, Steady Church
Growth Worldwide." Vatican Statistics Show Modest, Steady Church Growth Worldwide. Web.
03 Nov. 2015.

Kedmey, Dan. "Pope Francis to World: Redistribute The Wealth." Time. Time, Web. 03 Nov.
2015.

"Papal Visits to the United States." Papal Visits to the United States. Web. 03 Nov. 2015.
Robbin, Denise, and Kate Sarna. "Conservative Media Who Complained Of "War On
Christianity" Now Slamming Pope On Climate Change."Media Matters for America, 23 June
2015. Web. 04 Nov. 2015.
Thomas, Bradford. "Limbaugh: I Told You Pope Francis Was a Marxist." Truth Revolt, 17 June
2015. Web. 03 Nov. 2015.

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