Pope Francis' Battle With Conservatives Heats Up
Pope Francis, who began his papacy in March 2013 after succeeding Pope Benedict XVI, have been more progressive than his predecessors, drawing critiques from American Catholics who have openly questioned whether he is a positive conduit for the church's messaging and if he understands the American faith.The pope has remained steadfast in his convictions, however, challenging ardent and potentially antiquated views regarding same-sex marriage and other issues like environmental protections.
He has said that being gay is not a sin and has not been shy to acknowledge the increasingly "reactionary" nature of U.S. Catholicism."The Church has a very clear understanding of marriage: an exclusive, stable, and indissoluble union between a man and a woman, naturally open to procreation," Pope Francis wrote in a July letter written in Spanish and published by Vatican News on Tuesday.But he presented a caveat that views do evolve, even those within the church and its storied history."However, in our relationships with people, we must not lose the pastoral charity, which should permeate all our decisions and attitudes," he said. "The defense of objective truth is not the only expression of this charity; it also includes kindness, patience, understanding, tenderness and encouragement.
