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The Peoples' Pope. Francis I offered love universally and unconditionally. Yet, while the world mourns the death of its Catholic leader, Francis surely yearns for our despondency to have a "shelf life." Our Pope wants us to have laughter through our tears.
In fact, this harbinger resounded in words, last December, 2024. Pope Francis advised us not to wallow in melancholy. He wrote about us being strong yet nevertheless, having the emotional need to cry seriously at times, acknowledging its unique catharsis. He also urged us to allow and rejoice in the times for laughing uproariously. Comedy is "good for the soul," he told comedian Whoopi Goldberg.
Pope Francis commented about Cardinal Wojtyla, of Poland, who was once admonished for being athletic and having (maybe "too much?") fun with sports by another Catholic Cardinal, sage in years and thought. Cardinal Wojtyla replied, that "at least half of the Cardinals in Poland enjoyed skiing" and other athletic endeavors! He failed to mention that he was one of the only two Cardinals from his country and thus self-qualified as half of Poland. His smooth talking may have helped make Wojtyla become better known as, "JP2," Pope John Paul II.
Pope Francis also recounted the humor of Pope John XXIII, "J23," who once noted and recognized the great need and duty for helping others, and for offering solace and comfort to the world. Later, he woke up in the night with a cold sweat, realizing the world was counting on .... him!
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