African Catholics - The African Mirror

Mar

14

2023

Pope Francis: the first post-colonial papacy to deliver messages that resonate with Africans

WHEN he was presented to a cheering crowd at St Peter’s Square, Vatican City, on 13 March 2013, few people outside Latin America knew much about Jorge Bergoglio. But a decade later, based on my work as a scholar of Catholicism, I would argue that most Catholics know and love Pope Francis. They also see a deep connection between his message and priorities, and their dreams and hopes for a better church and a world that is reconciled. Author STAN CHU ILO, Research Professor, World Christianity and African Studies, DePaul University When Pope Francis was introduced in 2013, I was…

Pope Francis: the first post-colonial papacy to deliver messages that resonate with Africans

RELIGION

WHEN he was presented to a cheering crowd at St Peter’s Square, Vatican City, on 13 March 2013, few people outside Latin America knew much about Jorge Bergoglio. But a decade later, based on my work as a scholar of Catholicism, I would argue that most Catholics know and love Pope Francis. They also see a deep connection between his message and priorities, and their dreams and hopes for a better church and a world that is reconciled. Author STAN CHU ILO, Research Professor, World Christianity and African Studies, DePaul University When Pope Francis was introduced in 2013, I was…

Pope Francis’ visit to Africa comes at a defining moment for the Catholic Church

RELIGION

DURING his planned visit to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and South Sudan in February 2023, Pope Francis intends to be in dialogue with African Catholics – but also to listen to political leaders and young Africans. This visit comes at a defining moment in what is regarded as a fairly progressive papacy. Author STAN CHU ILO, Research Professor, World Christianity and African Studies, DePaul University Pope Francis has convened a worldwide consultation on the future of the Catholic church. This consultation, called a synodal process, began in 2021 and will conclude in 2024. It is the most ambitious…