UNITED STATES
Christian Catholicism

Jerry Slevin

Pope Francis’ plan from Day One is now clear. His plan has been (1) to secure the pope’s tight control over Vatican finances with his own management team, (2) to distract from the Vatican’s sexual and financial scandals with (A) farcical Synods, (B) a “go slow and lightly” abuse commission, (C) empty platitudes about the poor, capitalism and climate change, and (D) media hyped but pointless papal trips, and (3) to firm up political alliances, especially with a powerful new US president, preferably Jeb Bush, who can be expected to fund and protect Vatican interests as his brother and father did so well.

Since the Final Synod in less than five months will likely expose the pope as an “all talk, no action” failed leader, the pope needs more diversions until the all important US elections in November of next year. The meaningless…