Pope Francis & Freemasonry: What The Vatican Says | Latest News
Is there more to the story than meets the eye? The enduring speculation surrounding Pope Francis's potential ties to Freemasonry, fueled by photographs, public statements, and the Vatican's own pronouncements, demands a deeper look.
The controversy surrounding Pope Francis's relationship with Freemasonry is not new. It's a complex narrative woven from photographic evidence, pronouncements from Masonic organizations, and official statements from the Vatican. The spark that ignited this debate was a photograph taken in 2008 by Argentinian photojournalist Pablo Leguizamn. The image captured then-Archbishop of Buenos Aires, Jorge Mario Bergoglio, riding the subway. What caught the eye of many was the way he was dressed in black, and notably, the position of his right hand, tucked in a manner that some interpreted as a Masonic gesture. This seemingly innocuous detail became a point of contention, initiating the claims of Pope Francis's secret affiliation with Freemasonry.
| Full Name | Jorge Mario Bergoglio |
| Born | December 17, 1936, in Buenos Aires, Argentina |
| Nationality | Argentine, Vatican City (Citizen) |
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| Related Links | Vatican Website |
Freemasonry is a fraternal organization with a history shrouded in secrecy and ritual. Its principles, often emphasizing brotherhood, morality, and the pursuit of knowledge, have resonated with some and aroused suspicion in others. The Grand Lodge of Italy, upon the passing of Pope Francis, even went so far as to say that his work was deeply resonant with the principles of freemasonry. This statement, coupled with the warm reception Francis received from Italian Freemasons from the very beginning of his Papacy, fueled the fire of speculation.
The Grand Orient Masonic Lodge of Italy, through its Grand Master Gustavo Raffi, celebrated Francis's election immediately. Freemasons have a rich history, and the idea of aligning their values with a Papal leader is quite a contradiction. The Grand Lodge of Italy of the Ancient, Free, and Accepted Masons even issued a statement of mourning, which further fueled the discussion surrounding the Pope's connection with Freemasonry. This has led to various different responses and concerns from different sides.
However, the Vatican has consistently maintained its stance on the matter. In a clear declaration, the Vatican dicastery for the doctrine of faith released a document reaffirming that Catholics are forbidden from becoming Freemasons. This stance was further reinforced in a letter signed by Pope Francis himself, which reiterated the prohibition of active membership in Freemasonry for members of the Catholic faithful. The document, released on November 13, 2023, addressed a bishop from the Philippines expressing concern about the growing number of Catholics becoming Freemasons, and reaffirmed the Vatican's longstanding position on the matter. The letter emphasized that it is forbidden for any Catholic to become a Freemason.
The official Vatican News website published an article on November 15, 2023, titled "Vatican confirms Catholics still forbidden to join Masonic lodges." This article clarified the Vatican's stance, stating that "active membership in Freemasonry by a member of the faithful is forbidden." This serves as a direct response to inquiries and concerns raised by Catholics and the broader public.
Given these conflicting narratives, the question arises: Has Pope Francis made any statements suggesting a softening of the prohibition against involvement in Freemasonry? The official record reveals no such statements. The Pope has consistently upheld the Church's prohibition. He reinforced this position with a letter to Bishop Julito Cortes, emphasizing the Church's stance. These moves suggest that while dialogue might be encouraged, the official position remains firm.
The narrative of Pope Francis and Freemasonry also incorporates other elements. Some claim to have seen Pope Francis shake hands in a manner reminiscent of Masonic handshakes. However, beyond speculation and anecdotal evidence, there is no concrete proof. Some individuals, such as Weisman, have noted that the Pope could have given a significant speech to Freemasons. However, such a speech never came to pass.
In April 2015, before the Pope's visit to Latin America, Edgar Sanchez Caballero, the Grand Master of the Gran Logia Symbolica del Paraguay, and other Freemasons expressed their admiration for the Pope. They even wanted to meet him. Although it is known that Pope Francis is the first pope to receive and accept a Rotary Club membership. Rotary is an organization that is neither secret nor seditious, according to the Catholic Truth Society. The Catholic Truth Society is a publishing house based in London with no real church authority.
The Catholic Church's stance on Freemasonry has a long and complex history. Freemasonry, with its rituals and secrecy, has often been viewed with suspicion by the Church, leading to a series of condemnations. The reasons for this opposition include the perceived incompatibility of Masonic doctrines with Catholic theology, particularly concerning issues such as the nature of God, religious pluralism, and the authority of the Church. Moreover, the secrecy surrounding Masonic rituals and practices has fueled concerns about potential conflicts of loyalty and the possibility of Freemasonry undermining the Church's influence.
This history of suspicion and opposition is reflected in various Church documents and pronouncements. For example, the Code of Canon Law, specifically Canon 1374, states that those who join associations that plot against the Church should be punished with a just penalty. Furthermore, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (CDF) has issued numerous statements reaffirming the incompatibility of Catholic membership in Freemasonry. These statements often emphasize that Catholics who actively participate in Masonic lodges are in a state of grave sin and are forbidden from receiving Holy Communion. The CDF's pronouncements are considered authoritative within the Catholic Church, and they provide clear guidance for Catholics regarding Freemasonry.
The current prohibition, as reiterated in the recent Vatican document, is consistent with this historical and theological framework. The Church's concern stems from the belief that Freemasonry's teachings and practices are fundamentally at odds with Catholic doctrine, especially in matters of faith, morality, and the nature of the Church. The prohibition also reflects the Church's role in safeguarding the spiritual well-being of its members and protecting the integrity of its teachings. Furthermore, it is important to note that the Church's prohibition is not directed against Freemasons as individuals, but rather against the compatibility of Freemasonry with Catholic faith and practice. The Church's intention is not to persecute Freemasons but to uphold the integrity of its own beliefs and practices.
The situation is even more complicated. In 2016, Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi's open letter to Freemasons was titled "Dear Brother Masons." While some saw this as an overture, others lamented the pace of dialogue and reconciliation. The Vatican's refusal to grant requests for dialogue has been criticized. These conflicting elements indicate there are conflicting views on how to approach the subject.
The visual aspects add fuel to the fire. Photos of Pope Francis shaking hands, which have sparked controversy, are now a part of the overall narrative. One such photo shows Pope Francis with Benedict XVI, with the handshakes in the picture subject to speculation.
The Vatican has consistently maintained its position. The dicastery for the doctrine of faith issued a document reaffirming that Catholics are forbidden from becoming Freemasons. The document, which was signed by Pope Francis and DDF Prefect Cardinal Victor Fernandez, was written in response to the growing number of Catholics from the Philippines who had expressed their concern.
The Grand Lodge of Italy, of the Ancient, Free, and Accepted Masons, issued a statement of mourning for Pope Francis. The Grand Lodge of Italy of the Alam joined in the universal mourning for the death of Pope Francis, a shepherd who, through his magisterium and his life, embodied the values of brotherhood, humility, and the quest for a planetary humanism.
The recent book "Infiltration" by Taylor Marshall has also been criticized for focusing on the issue with Pope Francis. It makes assumptions about Freemasonry based on the various discussions. Another point of note is that Pope Francis is the first known pope to be a member of a Rotary Club.
Despite the various statements and controversies, the Catholic Church has maintained its position. On November 13, a document was issued by Pope Francis's Vatican. This document, along with the other declarations, has left observers somewhat surprised. Despite all these new changes, the Church's old prohibition has been confirmed.
