Categories: World

Pope Francis warns church cannot become ‘progressive’ or ‘conservative’ ‘political party’

close Video

Fox News Flash top headlines for February 22

Fox News Flash top headlines are here. Check out what’s clicking on Foxnews.com.

Pope Francis spoke on Ash Wednesday to a gathering of faithful in his general audience at the Vatican.

As Christians of various denominations around the world enter the Lenten season of fasting leading up to Easter, the pope told the crowd that politicization of the Gospel must be avoided.

“Every choice, every use, every structure, and tradition is to be evaluated on the basis of whether they favor the proclamation of Christ,” the pope told the audience.

Pope Francis went on to denounce the use of the Gospel as an in-group or club, stating that Christianity cannot become a simple ideology.

POPE FRANCIS HINTS AT THE FUTURE, REVEALS MORE ABOUT RESIGNATION LETTER

Pope Francis warns that the Church must not become partisan.  (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

BIDEN ACCUSED OF TWISTING POPE FRANCIS’ WORDS ON ABORTION: ‘FAKE CATHOLICISM’

Pope Francis says that the Gospel is “not an idea” or “an ideology.” (Photo by Massimo Valicchia/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

“Be careful. The Gospel is not an idea. The Gospel is not an ideology,” he continued.  “The Gospel is a proclamation that touches the heart and makes the heart change. You are making the Gospel a political party, an ideology, a club.”

The pontiff recently drew ire from traditionalist Catholic communities after the Vatican published further guidelines on the celebration of Latin mass. 

POPE BENEDICT’S LAST WORDS, ACCORDING TO HIS BEDSIDE NURSE

Pope Francis says that without the Holy Spirit, “everything remains soulless.”  (AP Photo/Jerome Delay)

The Holy See has tightened its grip on the approval process for Latin mass communities, many of which Pope Francis has butted heads with over perceived disobedience and misstep from the wider Catholic Church.

“Because, as Church, we can have well-defined times and spaces, well-organized communities, institutes and movements, but without the Spirit, everything remains soulless,” he continued. “The organization […] is not enough. It is the Spirit who gives life to the Church.

CLICK HERE FOR THE FOX NEWS APP 

Discussing his own tenure at the Holy See while traveling in Africa earlier this month, Pope Francis said he had no intentions of retiring and that the papacy should ideally be held until death.

“I believe that the pope’s ministry is ad vitam [Latin: for life]. I see no reason why it should not be so,” Pope Francis told a group of Jesuits during his apostolic journey to the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Timothy Nerozzi is a writer for Fox News Digital. You can follow him on Twitter @timothynerozzi and can email him at timothy.nerozzi@fox.com

Share

Recent Posts

Dems dismiss calls for apology after Jeffries vows ‘fight’ against Trump agenda ‘in the streets’

Congressional Democrats are dismissing the White House's demand for an apology after House Minority Leader…

16 minutes ago

Legal experts say Kash Patel’s opposition to warrant requirement is not a major split

Kash Patel, President Donald Trump's pick for FBI director, claimed Thursday that he won't stand…

16 minutes ago

‘Important lesson’: Conservative activist reveals ‘fascinating’ experience at liberal Sundance Film Festival

A documentary about bridging the political divide in one of the most hotly contested battleground…

16 minutes ago

Fox News Politics Newsletter: Taking It to the ‘Streets’

Welcome to the Fox News Politics newsletter, with the latest updates on the Trump administration,…

16 minutes ago

White House to impose tariffs on Mexico, Canada and China due to ‘invasion of illegal fentanyl’

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that President Donald Trump will roll out tariffs…

2 hours ago

Trump White House demands apology after Jeffries calls for Dems to fight president’s agenda ‘in the streets’

FIRST ON FOX: The White House is blasting House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries after pledging…

2 hours ago