Francis’ ‘older son’ problem; red herrings; and pingpong on financial reform

VATICAN CITY
National Catholic Reporter

John L. Allen Jr. | Oct. 11, 2013 All Things Catholic

If a Las Vegas casino had opened a betting line eight months ago on the likelihood that within a year the most popular figure on the planet would be the pope, one has to imagine the odds would have been awfully long.

Yet that’s basically today’s situation, as Francis continues to garner acclaim and admiration from almost every quarter, most recently for a moving Oct. 4 visit to Assisi and for confirming his desire to reach out to divorced and remarried Catholics by announcing a Synod of Bishops in October 2014 dedicated to the family and marriage.

The “almost” in that sentence, however, is important because while Francis remains a smash hit overall, he’s also got a budding “older son” problem.

The reference is to the parable…