(Rollin' Stone...) Wanna see my picture on the cover

(Stone...) Wanna buy five copies for my mother...
(Stone...) Wanna see my smilin' face
On the cover of the Rollin' Stone

For you youngsters, it's Dr. Hook, and the other lyrics are horrid but it popped into my head when I saw this picture... the tune is catchy ;0)



I have to admit, something about this picture tugs my conscience...like the "popular culture" has hijacked our Holy Father. Still, there is something so wise about this man. His simplicity draws people to him and then, having them close, he can speak to the issues that are so important in today's society.

I bring this up specifically to give kudos to the Vatican Press Office regarding the article itself which, speaks disparagingly about our former Pope.

"Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, director of the Holy See Press Office, had strong words regarding a recent article on Pope Francis that appeared in Rolling Stone magazine. The Holy Father made the cover of the magazine yesterday.

While acknowledging that the Holy Father’s appearance on the front cover shows the interest in different environments, Fr. Lombardi denounced the negative portrayal of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI’s pontificate, saying the article disqualifies itself as serious journalism.
“Unfortunately, the article disqualifies itself, falling in the usual mistake of a superficial journalism, which in order to highlight the positive aspects of Pope Francis, thinks it should describe in a negative way the pontificate of Pope Benedict, and does so with a surprising crudeness,” Fr. Lombardi said in a statement.

What a shame,” Fr. Lombardi stated. 'This is not the way to do a good service even to Pope Francis, who knows very well what the Church owes to his predecessor'"

If the Pope is to become a celebrity in today's society, it is right and just that he use his time in the spotlight to teach important truths - like the ability to build one person up without tearing down another.

I love our Papa! We are blessed!