The news cycle has been relentless. Pope Francis has fallen ill, and many engage in a race for attention, playing with extremes. Some pray, others mock. Some spread rumors, others fight to correct them. In a single day, headlines declare him dead, then alive, then dead again. A constant oscillation between reverence and cruelty, concern and spectacle. Some react with genuine concern, others just want to be the first to shout “breaking news!”—even when they have no clue what’s actually happening.
Is this moment revealing a fixation on the Pope’s health? I think it exposes the way we speak to and about one another in times of uncertainty; how we deal with authority, faith, and leadership. But maybe mostly, it reveals both the genuine concern many feel and the cruel way media speculation exploits people’s worries and sense of helplessness.
For some, the Pope is a shepherd; for others, an adversary. For some, he is the embodiment of a Church that should never change; for others, a sign of a Church that has not changed enough. But in all cases, he becomes a symbol onto which people project their hopes, frustrations, or outright conspiracy theories.
Pope Francis has been an inspiration in many ways for GNRC members, especially in his efforts to bring the Church into dialogue with those who have long felt on the margins. His words on inclusion, mercy, and encounter have deeply touched the hearts of many in our network. Whatever happens in the days ahead, our prayers and good wishes are with him. Beyond the noise and speculation, we choose to stand in hope.
I take this opportunity to invite you: we’ll be talking about this and other topics at the GNRC Assembly 2025.
Yes, we’re plugging the Assembly again, because we do that a lot recently, but honestly, it’s relevant. It’s a space where people come together, not just to react but to reflect, to wrestle with the hard questions, and to figure out how we move forward in faith.
We don’t know what the future holds for Francis, but we do know that the work of inclusion doesn’t stop, it never has, and it never will, and it is important we come together, and we develop common strategies. We’re not going to pretend this event will single-handedly change the world, but it’s a good opportunity to actually talk about these things without the noise of social media chaos, and with people from all over the world.
So, if you’re tired of the endless cycle of speculation and counter-speculation, maybe join a conversation that’s actually going somewhere. Check out https://rainbowcatholics.org/assembly2025 and be part of something that, at the very least, won’t involve fake news updates every five minutes.