Between Nationalisms and Right Idea of Nation. The Political Misstep of Pope Francis, by Sandro Magister

By Sandro Magister, L’Espresso, Dec. 17, 2019

The contradiction is before the eyes of all and in political terms can be called a misstep. Pope Francis hammers relentlessly against sovereignisms and nationalisms, and in spite of this his faithful vote en masse for sovereignist and nationalist parties, in Italy and in Europe.

In Italy, for example, the party most voted for today by practicing Catholics is Lega Nord, with its head Matteo Salvini (in the photo), devoted to the Blessed Mother and at the same time a champion of the rejection of immigrants.

In the narrow circle of confidants of Jorge Mario Bergoglio there are some who must have pointed out to him this contrast between what he preaches and the behavior of the faithful. In evidence of this is the article that came out on December 11 in “Corriere della Sera” with the byline of Andrea Riccardi, professor of Church history and founder of the Community of Sant’Egidio:

Riccardi cites Francis only in passing. He is careful to avoid recalling his most sensational broadside, in an interview last August 6: “Sovereignism is an attitude of isolation. I am concerned because there is talk that resembles that of Hitler in 1934….”  ….

Read more here  http://magister.blogautore.espresso.repubblica.it/2019/12/16/between-nationalisms-and-right-idea-of-nation-the-political-misstep-of-pope-francis/?refresh_ce