I’ll admit it. Like so much of America last week, I had some major Pope fever going on. I still kinda do.
I watched the news stories, I read every article online, and I even started following the Pope on Twitter and Instagram (and vine. ) The man sends some hilarious clips, I gotta say.
And guess what I see right before I go to bed? This dreamy face.
The ceiling in my bedroom is covered with magazine clippings of PF (that’s what I call him.) I couldn’t help myself. I just lay there at night and imagine getting blessed by him.
Wanna know how you know you’re a “crazy girl?” You start drunk tweeting the man you have a crush on.
Now if you’re observant you’re probably looking at this tweet going, Taylor it was 7:07 p.m. get your life together.
It was a Husker game day AND I went to Oktoberfest. If the worst thing I do after a few beers is starting tweeting compliments to the Pope, I think I’m doing okay. *Just for the record I also tweeted “I love Pope” about ten minutes later…
Anyway, I sent the adoring tweet and that was that. Until I got the response you see above. And was totally UGHHHH about it. Like stop trying to get me back Catholic Church, you’re looking desperate.
Which brings me to part two of this post.
I was raised Catholic, did the whole First Communion thing when I was a kid and totally NAILED it, if I do say so myself.
A short veil and white ruffle socks with size 11 sandals? Don’t mind if I do! Let’s take a closer look at the detail on my amazing dress.
I don’t know why my parents insisted I get braces, but they did. They were adamant about it, in fact.
I can’t help but think I would have grown up with a lot more character had I been forced to go through life with those spiky talons for front teeth. Kids, never open cans with your teeth. Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should.
But I digress. Back to the catholic church.
I left the catholic church for two reasons:
#1. I can’t get into a church who is so out spoken about not letting gays get married. I went to a service last spring and almost walked out because I found the priest’s message so judgmental and downright offensive to homosexuals. It was just hurtful.
#2. Women can’t be priests. Soooo….. no. Not for me. How could I take my non existent daughter to that church some day and let her know that men will always be one peg higher?
And sure, you can give me reasons why the catholic church doesn’t allow women to be priests, but honestly I don’t care. In my opinion not equal is not equal.
And #3. I hated “may peace be with you time” because I never had anyone to peace with!!! So embar.
And yet.
Yet I still love Pope Francis. Perhaps I’m being a bit dreamy eyed here and am only choosing to see what I want, but what I do see is so good.
He’s known as the “Peoples Pope” because of his simple and humble lifestyle. He refuses dinner with the elite so he can eat with the homeless. He’s known to frequently give kids rides on his Popemobile. He “sneaks out” of the Vatican at night dressed as a regular priest so he can give money and food to the homeless.
He just seems like such a good man. And maybe I’m so interested in him because I feel like our world is starved for more selfless generous leaders who truly care about the people.
Or maybe it’s just because he’s the dreamiest.
What do you think? Any Pope fans in the house?
I agree with your views on the Catholic church and also the fact that the Pope is awesome! I love the messages he has been giving out to the world- this planet has been needing someone like him for a long time!
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LOL I love that he is definitely the 'people's Pope' such a stand up guy, I don't see why anybody wouldn't be dreaming of him!
I'm a fan. My hometown Catholic Church is very much ok about homosexuality and the priests welcome it; but yes, when it's overall frowned upon to get married to the same gender in the Church (which I believe will never change), then I can see your point. The Church has always been a big part of my life so I can't really imagine my life without it.
I do really like PF – much better than the guy who quit. Like, who does that?
I grew up in a non-denominational church, so we never really thought about the pope that much. His visit was barely on my radar.
I went to a Catholic service with my high school best friend and her family when I was sixteen, and during the "Peace With you," I got a little confused. At my church, it was just regular greetings, so after every "Peace," I just said, "Hi." Awkward.
But, my biggest qualm with the Catholic church is that it's all based on rules, and you can only get to Heaven by admitting your sins to a person, like a go-between with you and God. That's never sat well with me. If I want to confess my sins, I want to go straight to the authority, who actually DIED for my sins.
I'm sure there's more to it like that, but as a religion, Catholicism has never settled well with me.
Also, I know tons of Christian women who are ministers, and like you said, if they were Catholic, they couldn't lead the church. *shrugs*
I was raised Catholic too and now I feel the same way… equal is equal and if they can't get on board, then they aren't for me! I haven't been following along much but he seems like quite a nice change from the past.
I'm not Catholic but I love this pope too! I think he gives everyone a little hope that the church as a whole can be a lot less judgmental and actually live up to what they preach. If only someone who represents other Christians in this country (non-catholic) could be as well loved and well-spoken about these issues because we've been getting quite the bad rap from those who are most visible.
Yup, same here! I have the same issues with the Catholic church, but also have a crush on Franky (my own personal pet name for him). He is a quality person that doesn't want to be treated like anything special, which is supposedly the whole point of being a priest in the first place, right? My favorite thing is how he's relatable across all faiths and backgrounds and beliefs (for the most part), and tolerant of everyone. EVERYONE. Love that man.
I grew up Catholic, and still kind of consider myself catholic. but i'm just not a religious person in general (eek i know!) I do like this pope and i can't put my finger on why.
My fiance's family is Catholic. His dad is actually a deacon, so we're getting married in the Catholic church so he can perform the ceremony. We had to do this marriage class thing, and this woman said something about how divorce screws up children and she said a marriage isn't whole unless it's a man and a woman because you don't have the full 'human experience' and I was just sitting there fuming. My parents are divorced. My brother is gay (and just in general, love is love and I've always supported that). Michael told his dad how mad I was and he said PF has even said that divorce is sometimes a better option than staying marriage. I think I'd be way more screwed up if my mom and dad stayed in an unhappy marriage versus them getting a divorce.
Anyway I just love PF because he's not crazy strict and conservative and he actually seems to love EVERYONE. Like Jesus wanted, right?
Grew up Catholic – like, went to church every weekend, I was an altar server, a religious ed. teacher, and I was a lector. My great aunt was a nun and my mom's cousin is a priest. The church I grew up in was pretty liberal, as far as Catholic churches go. Like when Harry Potter was in the news for priests preaching against witchcraft, our priest spoke about the love in Harry Potter and the Christian qualities to be found in the series. When 16/17 year old me was teaching the sacraments to 4th graders in my religious ed. class I made a point to read "when two people love each other and get married…" instead of the actual text that read "when a man and woman…"
I stopped going to church when I went to college, but I was already questioning. Now I consider myself an atheist because science and if I was religious I would not be Catholic for the reasons you mention above (plus abortion rights!). But this Pope man….I was livestreaming him at work (watching nuns & priests with their iPhones scream for him or CNN anchor Chris Cuomo screaming "Poppa Francisco!!!" – just the sheer joy he brought people gave me joy). He's just so stinking cute. And even though our issues with gay rights, women priests, and women's rights in general will not be changing in the Catholic church any time soon, at least Francis is slowly starting to move in the right direction.
Also, we're about the same age and my first communion outfit included the short veil and a dress that had velvet appliques and an attached CHOKER WITH A DANGLY PEARL. The 90s 4eva.
LOVE. HIM.
I really like PF too. And not in a religious way, but like you, because he's a GOOD guy and a leader who truely seems to care about everyone, specifically those in need.
thanks for being real with why you left the catholic church (but maybe i should have been raised catholic because you got a cake?!). i feel that with almost all organized religions and it just doesn't sit well. this pope seems like he's on point though!
Tots agree on every front re:the Pope. I also love when your humor gets self-deprecating… your size 11 shoes and talon teeth LOL. Appreciate the chuckle at my desk this morning 🙂
You might also want to put up some pictures of José Mujica, former Uruguayan president and ''the world's humblest president.'' Plus he lives on a farm with his three-legged dog! #dreamy
I was raised Catholic and now am also no longer a Catholic but I do love this Pope.
Her Heartland Soul
http://herheartlandsoul.com
The Church can't please everyone, you know :)? I'm w/you re:gays and woman priests. I'll add another qualm of mine: priests have to be celibate and can't marry.. I get why, historically, this changed, but I still think it's so arbitrary and backwards.
But I'm still a happy Catholic because deep down I know the Church is actually quite flexible: Sane Catholics know that the rules really don't fit everybody, so we don't stress over going to Heaven/hell, Confession, fasting, etc. We just try to live as best as we can and the rewards will come later. Also, the PF and PJPII is-was the bomb.
PS- You just inspired a post, so thanks :)!
You're my kind of catholic. I honestly love your response to this. And please share your post with me when you write it 🙂
LOVE me some Pope. I grew up super conservative too (Mennonite) but moved on when I left for college! Now I couldn't go to a place that doesn't allow equal rights. Note: if you ever decide to go back to church again, try Luther Memorial (ELCA Lutheran) up in Lincoln Square. So many people in their 20s at the 11 a.m. service and the pastor is amazing (and mid 30s, so relateable). I've now stopped going to church again since I moved to Dallas, but LMC made me happy while I was in Chicago. Peace be with you! (lol)
I'm a big fan of this pope. I'm not Catholic, but I am Christian, and regardless of the "Are Catholics Christians?" debate, I think this guy is repping overall religion pretty well. I love that not only is he the "people's pope", but he's also had some pretty awesome things to say about animals and dogs. He's good in my book!
THE POPE IS AMAZING (sorry just kinda needed to get my Catholic on). I think that the church is slowly moving in the right direction. I think that the church will have to change their view on the purpose of marriage before it lets everyone get married. But the no women priests thing is insanely annoying. Like, at least let nuns say mass and stuff, right?
I love the Pope! Dane is very Catholic and I am very not, so it's always an interesting dynamic in our house. Regardless, Pope Francis has special blessings for pets which makes him my favorite.
There's something really like-able about him….I get the swooning. I love the little extra's he does, it makes him seem genuine. I realize I might be falling into the marketing trap of it all, but I need to believe in something good around here! xoxo, ganeeban
I love this Pope, too! I think for me it's because when I look at Jesus & the things He says, I see Pope Francis doing those things. Loving people. Feeding the poor. Loving the poor. Humbling himself. Being a leader that seeks to serve not to be served. He reflects what the church of God should be. He may not be perfect but I think he does genuinely care for people. I think it's incredibly refreshing to see a leader like that.
I love Frank as well! Living outside of Philly, this weekend was amazing. I don't care what the debbie downers have to say. I grew up in the Catholic church, I still identify myself as Catholic but have strayed lately due to differing viewpoints with my parish pastor. This weekend really reinvigorated my faith. Having gone to a Jesuit college I have been lucky enough to see a different side of the church. I get frustrated with the state of the church but I can only pray that there are changes on the horizon.
Love PF! I'm Muslim and it touched my heart so insanely much when he prayed for all the Muslims that were recently injured or died from the stampeded during the Hajj pilgrimage. A man of God who is willing to not be judgmental just because not everyone follows the same religion as him? Count me in as a fan!
I have been so excited about Pope Francis! A lot of what he is saying has actually been around for years as part of our Catholic Social Justice Teachings…it just gets tuned out, unfortunately, because people with louder voices go on about things like abortion and gay marriage, so it's such a wonderful feeling to see the highest leader in the church start promoting what I consider the most important aspects of my faith. I grew up catholic, and now I don't go to church as much as I should but I still consider myself part of the church. I think it really depends on your church environment. I was lucky enough to grow up in a small church that was very welcoming and had a great sense of community–we were always volunteering and doing things to help out in our local community, which was poorer, rural area. People in our church often had opposing viewpoints, and they weren't afraid to speak out about that–I will always remember the day one woman got up at the end of mass and made a very passionate speech about being pro-choice….she wasn't shunned or kicked out, and she is still a part of our church community. Since I've moved away, I've been to churches that aren't quite as nice, and it's tough to experience that. However, I think the most important part of faith is being able to question it, struggle with it, and grow from it–I don't think anyone should ever just accept every single teaching their church throws at them, because you kind of need to find your own way. Also, to conclude this novel-length comment, I will say that "confession" is actually referred to as "reconciliation," and nobody forces it on you or tells you you're going to hell if you don't do it. I actually don't go that much, but if you're comfortable with talking about things like that to your priest, it's more like a free therapy session than what they show in the movies.
I'm Methodist and have a Pope calendar. I love him! Everyone once in awhile he says something uber Catholic but I just ignore that tweet and reread one of his ones about love or tolerance. I even considered buying a Pope bobblehead.
Your post had me cracking up! But in all seriousness I totally agree – I am still in the catholic church but sometimes have the same feelings you mentioned about why you left! Also agree with thoughts on the Pope. He seems so approachable and humble!
http://www.byky.org
I'm still a practicing Catholic and agree with your points 100%. The pope is awesome and I think I want him to be my new best friend. He seems so much more in touch with modern day life and I gotta love him for it,
I'm not catholic but I totally love this pope! He is so adorable and humble and good. Best pope ever.
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