John Zmirak, author of The Politically Incorrect Guide to Catholicism, explained Pope Francis' antipathy towards Americans in terms of "Argentine chauvanism."
“For a certain kind of Argentine, far-left or far-right, the United States is always the enemy," he told LifeSiteNews.
"Why? Bitterness, envy. The two nations were equally prosperous circa 1900," he continued. "They had similar populations, and comparable natural resources. Each had a fierce national pride. But the Argentines followed demagogues with economic views much like Pope Francis and squandered all those advantages, turning their nation into a bankrupt backwater."
"Meanwhile, the U.S. prospered. How easy it is to blame not your own countrymen’s decisions, but the machinations of the powerful, wicked Yanquis, who for their part don’t even remember your nation exists. I think this bitter Argentine chauvinism is the secret ingredient needed to make Pope Francis Sauce.”
Michael Hichborn of the Lepanto Institute said, "Anyone can wear criticism as a badge of honor," adding, "Martin Luther wore condemnations and criticisms of his work as an honor, but all it [did was] establish his disdain for the Truth."
"If Pope Francis truly feels honored to be criticized for perverting the Church’s teachings on homosexuality, Holy Communion, Marriage, and the doctrine of Hell, then he is only revealing his true entrenchment into ideological falsehoods," Hichborn continued.
Also evocative is the pope's comment about not fearing schisms. "I pray that there will not be schisms," the Pope said aboard the papal plane, "but I am not afraid." Francis was returning to Rome from Africa, where he spent six days in Mozambique, Madagascar and Mauritius.
"I don't fear schisms, I pray they don't exist because there's the spiritual health of many people [to consider], right?" he said. "[I pray] there will be dialogue, that there will be correction if there is some mistake, but the path of schism is not Christian."
"A pope who doesn't fear schism may cause one," writes Phil Lawler, editor of Catholic World News (CWN) adding, "Well, I am [afraid of schisms]. And I’m afraid of any Roman Pontiff who isn’t afraid of splitting the universal Church," he said. "Which means that, yes, I’m afraid of Pope Francis."
Lawler sees a connection between the upcoming Amazon Synod, set to make even more dramatic changes in the Church, with the pope's talk of schism. The editor says,
As we head into the Amazon Synod, there are numerous indications that the Pope and his allies will use the meeting to ram through another set of dramatic changes in Church teaching and discipline. He is willing to break with our fathers in faith; he is willing to break with his brothers. I fear that the Pope is determined to have his way, regardless of the cost to Church unity.
Whether the pope gives a response to critics on these matters is yet to be seen.
Pope Francis still has not responded to criticism regarding Amoris Laetitia (2016) nor answered the dubia, formally requested by Cdls. Raymond Burke, Carlo Caffarra, Walter Brandmüller and Joachim Meisner, for theological clarification. The pope has also not explained in any detail his role in rehabilitating Theodore McCarrick. Nor has he addressed Abp. Carlo Maria Vigano’s stunning exposés.
Church Militant