Is Pope Francis A Freemason? Vatican & Church On Freemasonry
Is the leader of the Catholic Church, Pope Francis, secretly affiliated with Freemasonry? While the Catholic Church has long condemned Freemasonry as irreconcilable with its doctrines, recent events and historical observations have fueled speculation and controversy surrounding the current pontiff's relationship with the secretive fraternal order.
The complex interplay between the Catholic Church and Freemasonry is not new. The Church's opposition to Freemasonry dates back centuries, with Pope Clement XII declaring it an excommunicable offense. This stance was further solidified by Pope Leo XIII in the late 19th century, who emphatically stated that Christianity and Freemasonry were fundamentally incompatible. This viewpoint was echoed in the 1983 "Declaration on Freemasonry" issued by then-Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, later Pope Benedict XVI, which reiterated the Church's negative judgment of Masonic associations. The declaration clarified that despite changes in wording, the Church's opposition remained unchanged, and membership in any Masonic association was still forbidden for Catholics.
The recent release of a document signed by Pope Francis and Cardinal Vctor Manuel Fernndez, the Prefect of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, further emphasizes the Church's stance. This document, made public on November 13, 2023, reiterates the prohibition against Catholics joining Freemasonry. This reaffirmation comes in response to concerns raised by a bishop in the Philippines regarding the increasing number of Freemasons and sympathizers in the country. The document calls for a coordinated strategy among the individual bishops to address this "very significant" issue.
The theory that Pope Francis may have connections to Freemasonry gained traction following a photograph taken in 2008 by Argentinian photojournalist Pablo Leguizamn. The image, taken when Francis was still Archbishop of Buenos Aires, shows him riding the subway with his right hand tucked. This image has been used as a point of speculation in social media. More so, on March 14, 2013, the day after Pope Francis' election, the Grand Master of the Grand Orient Masonic Lodge of Italy gave a congratulatory speech. There are also reports of Freemasons welcoming Pope Francis and celebrating what they consider a "crowning of the false prophet."
Furthermore, the document released by the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith was not the only event bringing Freemasonry back into the news. In November 2020, Freemasons in Dumaguete, Philippines, broke ground for a masonic obelisk, "Dumaguete Tower," in a public park across from the diocesan cathedral, a project estimated at P50 million. Bishop Antonio Staglian expressed his view that Freemasonry is a heresy aligned with the Arian heresy. The ongoing debate involves the history of both, the Catholic Church and Freemasonry, with differing views on their compatibility.
The Vatican has taken specific actions to clarify its position. In November 2023, the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith released a document, signed by Pope Francis and Cardinal Victor Manuel Fernndez. The document stated, "active membership in Freemasonry by a member of the faithful is forbidden."
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Jorge Mario Bergoglio |
| Born | December 17, 1936 (age 87 years), Buenos Aires, Argentina |
| Title | Pope |
| Predecessor | Benedict XVI |
| Successor | Currently in office |
| Ordination | December 13, 1969 |
| Other Positions Held |
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| Significant Actions |
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| Reference | Vatican Official Biography |
Despite the clear prohibition, questions persist about the Church's approach. Some observers, referencing Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi's overtures to Freemasons in a 2016 open letter, have questioned the pace of dialogue and reconciliation. Some have also expressed concern about a seemingly selective embrace, asking why Pope Francis might not extend his embrace to Freemasons.
In the Philippines, the Church is dealing with masonic membership and sympathy, as mentioned in the document signed by Pope Francis. With the presence of Freemasonry in the U.S. and U.K., linked by historical ties.
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