The
lengthy cover piece dedicated to Pope Francis in the February 13
edition of the popular Rolling Stone magazine has made its way around
the world.
The Director of the Press Office of the Holy See, Fr.
Federico Lombardi SJ, praises the article’s appearance, saying, “[The
piece] is a sign of the attention that the novelties of Pope Francis
attract from many different quarters.”
Fr Lombardi SJ goes on to
say, “Unfortunately, the article disqualifies itself, falling into the
usual mistake of a superficial journalism, which, in order to shed light
on the positive aspects of Pope Francis, thinks it needs to describe
the pontificate of Pope Benedict in a negative way, and does so with a
surprising crudeness.”
Fr Lombardi SJ adds, “This is not the way to do a
good service even to Pope Francis, who knows very well what the Church
owes to his predecessor.”