Pope Francis has died. May he rest in peace.

His papacy leaves a controversial, less than peaceful legacy, righteous on the liberal side, “disastrous” on the
conservative side. I agree with the late Cardinal Pell, finding it “disastrous.” Liberals often compliment Francis by
acknowledging his efforts to modernize the Catholic Church. Conservatives reject this, believing the World has nothing to
teach the Church, and some of Francis’ teachings are flawed, even labeled “heresy.”

When I think of Pope Francis I can’t escape recalling too many shocking statements and actions. At the top of the list is
his betrayal of the Chinese Catholic Church. “The claim that the Catholic Church in China has been betrayed by Rome is a
complex one rooted in the 2018 agreement between the Vatican and the Chinese government concerning the appointment of
bishops. Critics argue this agreement, which recognized bishops appointed by Beijing without Vatican approval, effectively
legitimizes China’s control over the church and is a betrayal of the underground Catholic Church, which remains loyal to
the Vatican.” A great deal of money was paid by Beijing to Rome to secure control of the underground church in China.
Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican Secretary of State, is seen as the architect of that 2018 agreement. Liberal Cardinal
Parolin is feared by conservatives, being part of the College of Cardinals who will elect the next pope.

“His election in 2013 will be seen as a kind of tectonic shift in the life of the Church,” Michael Sean Winters, National
Catholic Reporter told Newsweek. Conservatives see such “shifts” as schismatic and often heretical.

I have often seen Pope Francis as a WOKE figure, criticizing Israel’s treatment of Palestinians, offering questionable ways
to resolve the Russia-Ukraine war, and condemning Trump on his immigration methods. Despite promises to clean-up the sexual
abuse scandal he did not excommunicate abusers – policies sometimes making things worse.

“Gay men will be allowed into Roman Catholic seminaries to train to be priests but they must observe celibacy according to
Catholic doctrine …the Italian Bishops Conference (CEI) said in new guidelines Friday. To be admitted to the seminary, one
must show from the beginning “an orientation towards celibate life”, the CEI guide said. “In this perspective, there will
not be a barrier to homosexuals as such but to those who “practice” homosexual acts.” Concerned persons should remember
that 90 percent of the Catholic Church’s sexual scandal was perpetrated by adult homosexuals, not pedophiles. This WOKE
attitude facilitates more such abuse!

Profoundly ignorant statements will continue from the liberal side of the Church.

“Pope Francis’ mandate was seen as revamping the Church, demonstrating that it could be a dynamic institution capable of
adapting to the imperatives of modern society.” “Francis’ headlining changes were a softening of the Church’s stance on
homosexuality and contraception…”

Francis’ “mandate” may well stumble on its way after his death, through the auspices of the controversial proposals to
end priestly celibacy, allow women’s priestly ordination, broadly approve blessings for same-sex couples…” propagated in
the German church Synodality movement.

Francis may have been benevolent, but in structural moral church matters he lacked common sense which will soon ignite a
full schism. Only the “remnant” may remain. His advancement of the worst of bishops to the College of Cardinals was
intended to elect one of his followers.