Pope Francis has made a huge splash during his short time as Pope so far. He has made enough of a splash that everyone is taking notice- and some wounds are being healed and doors opened again. Doors between Christians and atheists are being opened as are the wounds caused by the misunderstandings that often occur when religion is involved.
Too often, people hear “atheist” and immediately think that that is someone that hates all Christians, when that is simply not the case. Many people of all faiths have been hurt by those in the church and in Christianity as a whole, while many have sat back and watched in disgust as this religion became a monstrosity and bastardized version of what it was intended to be and has, instead, been used by greedy, corrupt men in high places to further their dark agendas. Thank God for people like Pope Francis; and thank God especially for those who are not as well known that are reaching atheists and others of different faiths so that a bridge may be built and love renewed.
Pope Francis has touched the lives of many people, but he has also touched the lives of atheists and agnostics; it is surprising because, as I stated above, people often think that atheists hate Christians when that is not the case. WithPope Francis’s embrace of a disfigured man, a lady who is an atheist tweeted that she likes him more the more she hears about him. Another atheist was actually interviewed and asked what he thought of Pope Francis. He replied that he reminds him of his favorite uncle, along with the fact that the polls are definitely in the Pope’s favor. And he is right. Politicians would love to have Pope Francis’s approval ratings!
Pope Francis has also made a concentrated effort to reach out and spread love to atheists and agnostics, though. He has encouraged them to follow their consciences and they will be forgiven. The PR for the Catholic Church, of course, had to try and clarify what Pope Francis meant, but I think it is pretty obvious that Pope Francis meant exactly what he said. It is as simple as that.
Pope Francis continues to reach people and I am anxious to see what happens in the year to come!
Edited and published by CB.
