What are Pope Francis’ beliefs about masculinity? Dr. Anthony Isacco examines Pope Francis’ writings and actions to find out.
—
Without a doubt, Pope Francis has been a newsworthy pope. He has been described as “media savvy” because of his plain language approach to discussing controversial topics. His influence is wide-spread and cuts across typical dividing lines. Take, for example, President Obama’s described him as “a moral leader in word and deed.” His leadership, theology, and political ideology have all been the subject of much discussion, analysis, and debate. But what about his sense of manhood, his expression of masculinity, or even his own beliefs about masculinity? What have we learned? Below, I offer a few observations.
What about Pope Francis’ sense of manhood, his expression of masculinity, or even his own beliefs about masculinity?
|
He Does Not like Machismo: In his 2014 book “Joy of the Gospel” (p. 61), Pope Francis listed machismo along with alcoholism and domestic violence among several social and cultural “deficiencies” in need of healing. Unfortunately, he did not elaborate on his definition of machismo. My curiosity led me to an article by Dr. Michelle Gonzalez, an associate professor of religious studies at the University of Miami. Dr. Gonzalez suggested that when Pope Francis speaks against machismo, he is speaking against patriarchal systems that reduce women to gender stereotypes and limit women’s potential, voice, and authority.
He Values the Promotion of Women: Promotion of women is the “other side of the coin” to railing against machismo. Pope Francis has openly discussed the need for more women to assume leadership and decision-making roles in the Church. He has called for a deeper and better articulated theology for women. Paradoxically, he seems to re-affirm the Catholic Church’s often-criticized position that women cannot be priests because of a profound belief that women can push the Church above the negative consequences of “clericalism” and contribute to a more vibrant, people-centered church. Taken together, by speaking out against machismo and promoting women, it seems to me that Pope Francis is exhibiting an egalitarian masculinity ideology that values equality among sexes and minimizes male patriarchal systems.
When Pope Francis speaks against machismo, he is speaking against patriarchal systems that reduce women to gender stereotypes and limit women’s potential, voice, and authority..
|
He is Passionate about Social Justice: Pope Francis has been downright dogged in his advocacy for the poor. The tone of the Joy of the Gospel dramatically changed on p. 145. That is when Pope Francis shifts into high gear and launches into an epic, near poetic exegesis on his care, concern, and love for the poor. His tour de force writing left me bookmarking almost every one of the next 50 pages. His overall sentiments may be summed up in this one sentence, “I want a Church which is poor and for the poor.” His concern for the poor goes beyond a gender egalitarian masculinity ideology. Pope Francis has called for structural and systemic changes to aid the poor. Thus, not only is his empathy and compassion for the poor a clear rejection of some harmful traditional norms of masculinity (the pursuit of power and dominance) but he is also expressing an altruistic, merciful, and transformational masculinity ideology that aims to benefit the most marginalized in society.
He Recognizes the Need for Good Fathers: Pope Francis has spent the past year offering reflections on the family. He has spoken directly about the need for good and wise fathers. Pope Francis must have been talking with fatherhood scholars (or maybe he at least read some of Michael Lamb’s books) because there is general agreement that fathers must first be present in the family in order to be good and wise. I imagine that Pope Francis sees himself as a spiritual father and he seems to make a point of being present. He has visited several countries, toured multiple prisons, and chose to live in a more modest apartment that allows him to live in community with others. Perhaps most importantly, he has exhibited an emotional presence that communicates a warmth, genuineness, receptivity, and charisma that any father would like to communicate to their child.
Pope Francis has exhibited an emotional presence that communicates a warmth, genuineness, receptivity, and charisma that any father would like to communicate to their child.
|
Through word and deed, Pope Francis has expressed a masculinity that is marked with egalitarianism, altruism, and presence (physical and emotional), while also rejecting some harmful traditional norms of masculinity. To my knowledge, the pope has not been directly asked about his version of masculinity, but I hope a journalist does soon! I would expect a candid answer.
This article was originally published by the Society for the Psychological Study of Men and Masculinity.
Anthony Isacco, PhD is an assistant professor in the MSCP Counseling Psychology and PsyD Counseling Psychology graduate programs at Chatham University in Pittsburgh, PA. He is the author of several professional publications related to the psychology of men and masculinity. If you have not guessed yet, he is a Catholic and likes Pope Francis.
Hello Megalodon, I apologize – yes, I really missed your original point. Thank you for clarifying. I re-read your original post and I get it now. Yes, I think a celibate, religious man can be a bit perplexing to some men i.e., am I supposed to be like that??The answer more often than not is, no, most men are not called to emulate celibacy. Most men in the Catholic Church, for example, are called to marriage and thus, engage in sexual activity. Regardless, I think there is value in reflecting on sexual virtue as a man, in relation to self… Read more »
Hello Megalodon, Thanks for the comment and question. To be honest, I’m not sure if anyone has suggested the Dalai Lama as a new model of masculinity. However, I think that the Dalai Lama could probably provide some good lessons about masculinity for men to model. To your other point, a common myth is that the Catholic Church (and thus, popes) are anti-sexual activity. Quite to the contrary, the Catholic Church often talks about the unique beauty and dignity of sexual activity. Very much pro-sex! Pope Francis probably hasn’t said much on the topic because Pope John Paul II discussed… Read more »
Thank you for your response, Mr. Isacco, but I think you misunderstood my point. Nowhere did I say that the Pope was “anti-sexual activity.” I merely pointed out that the Pope (along with any adherent Catholic clergy) has taken a vow to remain celibate and abstain from any sexual activity himself. I simply brought that up to consider the implications of presenting a man committed to personal celibacy as a model of “manhood,” especially since concepts of “manhood” and masculinity are often suffused with sexual activity. That is why I brought up the comparison of the Dalai Lama, since he… Read more »
God be the one to decide
Of all the things you summarized, I am surprised you did not at least mention the interesting issue and questions created by putting forth a presumably celibate person committed to abjuring sexual activity as a possible model of masculinity and “manhood.”
Did anyone ever suggest the Dalai Lama as a possible model of new masculinity?
I’m just waiting ,,,,