If we analyze the concept of God in different religions we will encounter the most varied and contradictory interpretations. But for Francis, God is not catholic, He is universal, and each one can conceive the idea of God as he wills.
Francis
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(Eugenio Scalfari): Francis does not discuss dogmas and speaks as little as possible about them. At times he contradicts them directly. It has happened at least twice in the conversation we had and which I hope will continue. Once he said, on his own initiative and without me questioning him: “God is not catholic”. And explained: “God is the Spirit of the world. There are many readings on God, as many as the souls who think about Him, to accept him or to refute his existence, each one in his own way.But God is above these readings and so I say that He is not catholic, but universal”. To my next question about these alarming affirmations, Pope Francis clarified: “We, Christians, conceive God as Christ revealed to us in his preaching. But God belongs to everyone and each one reads Him in his own way. Due to which I say that He is not catholic because He is universal”. (Interview with Eugenio Scalfari, December 29, 2013)
Note 1: The authors of this study are aware that the Press Office of the Vatican has denied the interpretations that some media sources have attributed to certain affirmations contained in the interviews of Francis with Eugenio Scalfari. On the other hand, it is noteworthy that some of these sources are still published on the Vatican website (found by clicking on the links of the articles), lending an official air to their content, seemingly with the approval of Francis himself. In the midst of all the turmoil and confusion caused, we always feel that a presentation of the true doctrine should be made with clarity, together with such affirmations. We must not forget that the majority of the public read only the titles that the media publishes, and, as we know, the latter frequently manipulate the truth. Consequently, it appears that a mere declaration that the content of these interviews does not correspond with the textual words of Francis, is simply not sufficient. As such, we publish this article with the intention of clarifying and orienting the faithful, who have always been the principle objective of this page, as we expressed in our letter of presentation. In this way, each one can make a correct judgment, having beforehand attained knowledge of the truth.
Dear brothers and sisters, we are never alone. We can be far away, hostile; we can even profess that we are “without God”. The Gospel of Jesus Christ however, reveals to us that God cannot be without us: He will never be a God “without man”. It is he who cannot be without us, and this is the great mystery! God cannot be God without man: this is a great mystery! And this certainty is the source of our hope, which we find safeguarded in our every invocation of the Our Father. (General Audience, June 7, 2017)
The first attitude is that of regarding every man and woman, even those of different religious traditions, not as rivals, less still enemies, but rather as brothers and sisters. When a person is secure of his or her own beliefs, there is no need to impose or put pressure on others: there is a conviction that truth has its own power of attraction. Deep down, we are all pilgrims on this earth, and on this pilgrim journey, as we yearn for truth and eternity, we do not live autonomous and self-sufficient individual lives; the same applies to religious, cultural and national communities. We need each other, and are entrusted to each other’s care. Each religious tradition, from within, must be able to take account of others. (Meeting with the leaders of other religions and other Christian denominations, September 21, 2014)
[Francis]: That is why the Spirit is the author of unity among Christians. That is why unity comes about on our journey, because unity is a grace that one should ask for, and that is why I also repeat that all proselytism among Christians is sinful. The Church never grows due to proselytism but rather “by attraction”, as Benedict XVI said. Proselytism among Christians, therefore, is in itself a grave sin.
[Avvenire]: Why?
[Francis]: Because it contradicts the very dynamic of how to become and continue being Christian. The Church is not a soccer team looking for fans.(Interview with Avvenire, November 18, 2016 – English summary)
[Avvenire]: Why?
[Francis]: Because it contradicts the very dynamic of how to become and continue being Christian. The Church is not a soccer team looking for fans.(Interview with Avvenire, November 18, 2016 – English summary)
Teachings of the Magisterium
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