Pope Francis said he is “honored” to be criticized by conservative Catholics in the United States.
“For me, it’s an honor that Americans are attacking me,” Francis told reporters Wednesday during a flight to Mozambique. The pope’s remarks came after journalist Nicolas Seneze presented his book about conservative critics of the papacy, according to Crux.
Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni clarified after that “in an informal context the pope wanted to say that he always considers criticisms an honor, particularly when it comes from important thinkers and, in this case, of an important nation.”
Conservative Catholics in the U.S. have criticized the pope on issues ranging from his critical view of capitalism to his openness to allowing divorced and remarried couples to receive Holy Communion. Seneze’s book points to other sources of consternation, including the pope’s opposition to the death penalty and his emphasis on addressing climate change.
As of last September, over 80% of Catholic Democrats held a favorable view of Pope Francis compared to just over 60% of Catholic Republicans. A number of U.S.-based Catholic news outlets, including LifeSite and Church Militant, have frequently criticized the pope.
Cardinal Raymond Burke has been perhaps Francis’s most staunch critic among American prelates. Burke joined several cardinals in publicizing several questions about Francis’ apostolic exhortation “Amoris Laetitia,” which conservatives feared contravened prior church teachings prohibiting communion for divorced and remarried couples.
