Riding A Whirlwind

Politicians often balance opposing forces, but so do popes. This article details a precarious balance the current pope is taking. He is riding a whirlwind of criticism from within his own ranks — conservatives who believe he is committing heresy and liberals who are pushing him to clean up the Vatican. It is a daunting task for an 80-year-old man and one wonders if he is up to it. No amount of internal relations will placate his right-wing critics. They want the Church to do it their way. Pope Francis doesn’t agree. They are out to destroy his papacy and recapture the seat of Peter. It doesn’t matter that the public at large has been supportive of the pope’s view and his dedication to the poor and homeless. His humility doesn’t offset a perception that he has gone soft on principle. That, in the conservatives’ view, is unforgivable. There is little in public relations to soften the anger. He has to live with it.