Pope Francis's statements. Do you agree or disagree with him on this?

No, I do not agree.

The papacy is nothing more than the strongest link of a very weak, and apocryphal chain.

The "biblical" entity called Jesus made its own claims as to who and what it was, none of which

have ever been defended by `God` ... therein, Jesus ever having said otherwise, doesn't mean a thing.

Anyone who prophesies to drunks, cowards, liars, prostitutes, the homeless, the down-trodden,

and innocent children, that they are "the only way to God and Heaven" ... isn't worth 1-stinking damn.

Not even a "pope" can clean up that mess.

I disagree with the Pope and I am Catholic. He is in error when he says that "the people understood well: In Mark 4:34. Peter asked Jesus why He spoke to the people in parables instead of plain language. Jesus said He did that so that the people would not understand. Jesus said that, "if they understood they would repent and be saved". It was not God's will that the Jews would be saved at that tme. This was so the Gentiles would be let in.

Jesus was not the servant of all. He was the servant of God our Father. Yes He healed people when they came to Him but He did not do what they told Him to do. Jesus said, I only do what God tells me to do or what I see Him doing"

I distrust those people who know so well what God wants them to do because I notice it always coincides with their own desires. - Susan B. Anthony

No man ever believes that the Bible means what it says: He is always convinced that it says what he means.

George Bernard Shaw

It is because of the false claims and interpretations of the bible that Christianity has been split into over 39,500 different denominations, sects and cults setting Christian against Christian and Christians against everyone else!

God's work? Hardly!

It must be the Devil and the Antichrist working together to divide, conquer and destroy Christianity from the inside!

Neither. It's not important enough to take a stand either way. More information to considered when thinking about how authority and authenticity are related in my own life.

Yes it is ironic. If people believe you have their best interests at heart, they will follow you, that is they give you their authority. People in power are tempted to use their power against individuals. Its in that quote from the high priest, it is better for one man to die for the people. In practice it is hard to find solutions where everyone's a winner. We end up settling for, as long as I don't lose too much.

Even though I am not Christian .. Pope Francis is a brilliant theologian and has deep understanding about spiritual matters.

Agree.

No. While it is true that Jesus came to serve, He did so in the sacrifice of His life and His death. What Jesus did was tell the truth and correct all the lies that were being taught. Philippians 2 states that Jesus emptied Himself of being God to be a servant to the Father as well as mankind.

Absolutely. There are many who want the "aura" of authority, but they do not really get what it is the put themselves in authority over. This can be said about MANY politicians as well as well as many church people. There are those who state words to the effect of "I know the truth and you must comply" arrogantly stating their view of faith, but all the while overlooking what Christ taught. He humbled Himself. He washed His disciples' feet. He told them that people would know that they were His followers by their LOVE, not by proclaiming what we KNOW is the entire and absolute truth (even though no human can ever know the entire truth of God). Christ told us to love, and love means to be of service to others.

A person can know many truths by practicing true devotion to St. Sebastian, who is the patron saint of athletes.