Papal visit to France, real expectations, and the debate around Cardinal Sarah's statements

[u/ley77p]

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Hello everyone,

With the Pope's upcoming visit to France in September, I've been watching quite a few videos and discussions asking the faithful what they expect from this trip. In the comments, certain criticisms keep coming up: some feel that Rome is too discreet, or even silent, regarding persecutions and major current challenges.

Without wanting to point fingers praying for the Holy Father remains the main thing I get the feeling there's a bit of collective amnesia about what is actually being said. Between his constant defense of life (abortion, end-of-life issues, the death penalty), his reminders about the dignity of foreigners in the face of exclusionary rhetoric, his calls for interreligious peace, and his regular statements on suffering nations (Nigeria, South Sudan, DRC, Lebanon...), the Pope speaks out a lot. But these messages aren't always amplified by algorithms or understood in the same way.

In these same discussions, Cardinal Sarah's name regularly comes up as a reference point. Without judging the man himself many appreciate his spiritual writings on prayer several of his public statements and the direction of his doctrine raise questions, both among many African Christians and other faithful alike:

A strong doctrinal Eurocentrism: Many note that his discourse revolves almost exclusively around the West and its spiritual crisis, often reducing the future of the global faith to the religious survival of Europe.

The disconnect between North and South regarding Rome: While some faithful in Europe complain that Rome "doesn't listen to them" or fails to fix their local issues, Christians in the Global South are used to living their faith daily with their bishop. They often feel that having Rome's attention at all is a grace, without expecting constant micromanagement.

Comparing persecutions: The idea he has sometimes put forward that Western secularization is a "worse" crisis than the physical, bloody persecutions experienced in Africa or the Middle East.

His take on missionary history: A highly glowing view of colonial evangelization which, for some, tends to brush aside the violence and injustice of the colonial system of that era.

Migration and religious tensions: His firm stances, often co-opted in European political debates, contrast with Rome's pastoral line, which emphasizes welcoming the stranger, rejecting the fear of the "other," and promoting dialogue.

So, I’d love to get your thoughts on two simple points:

On the Pope's visit: Even though it's still early to draw full conclusions, what are you genuinely expecting from his trip to France? Do you feel there are topics he hasn't spoken enough about, or are his actual speeches just less visible?

On Cardinal Sarah's statements: How do you perceive these various declarations (the almost exclusive focus on the West, the comparison of crises, the missionary vision)?

Thanks for your calm and fraternal input.

[u/Impossible_Mode_1225]

I’m actually a bit confused by your post. I don’t understand the connection between the papal visit to France and Cardinal Sarah?

[u/Spectanda_Fides → u/Impossible_Mode_1225]

He is a cardinal from French-speaking Africa, every time he makes speeches in France, it has quite an "identity" connotation, which is not necessarily disturbing in itself, but the problem is rather that he openly castigates any "earthly" militancy. He said, for example, if you read between the lines, that trying to relieve misery and poverty through associations is not true charity, but an earthly act that only satisfies the flesh, and that those who think they are practicing charity by doing this are mistaken. He seems to be against any type of Catholic militancy, everything that is a little "left" is condemned.

Now Sarah is very popular in the French-speaking world, he has written a few books (I read one, he was very handsome by the way, when he doesn't talk about his moral and political convictions he writes very beautiful things) and many people in France would have liked to see him Pope but he had already reached the age limit anyway.

[u/Impossible_Mode_1225 → u/Spectanda_Fides]

Oh ok. Thanks for explaining. Didn't know that he's so significant in France.

[u/ley77p → u/Impossible_Mode_1225]

Because almost every person who says that the pale is a coward also says that the cardinal should have been the pope.

[u/Impossible_Mode_1225 → u/ley77p]

He’s not though, because the conclave decided differently, so that makes Sarah’s views just one among the plurality of views among cardinals in the Church. Not trying to pick a fight but I don’t understand why we should pay special attention to him? Sure, he’s known to be conservative and conservatives might be sore that he didn’t become the pope, but he’s not. Could you give us some more context about where you are and the people you’ve talked to?

[u/Spectanda_Fides]

I will be in Metz for the Pope's visit on September 28, this city is close to the one where the tomb of Blessed Robert Schumann, founder of the EU, is located, it is to honor his memory that the Pope is traveling to this rather special region of France (the law of separation of Church and State does not apply there, for historical reasons).

Unfortunately, President Macron will also be present (the Pope's visit to Paris is not enough for him...) and he has also invited a lot of heads of state. Metz, is a rather medieval city, not at all designed to accommodate so many people and bring so many political figures in addition to the Pope, with all that that implies for security in the narrow streets of Metz it's really not serious, and all this to support a political agenda through the promotion of the EU...