Pope Francis and Ecuador: Will he disappoint the Ecuadorans? What about Greece?

Metropolitan Cathedral of Quito, Ecuador

Pope Francis is scheduled to be in Ecuador this afternoon for the first of his three nation tour of Latin American this month. Some have hope, some do not:

July 5, 2015

“The pope of the poor” chose to visit Ecuador, Bolivia and Paraguay specifically because they are among the poorest and most marginal nations of a region that claims 40 percent of the world’s Catholics. He’s skipping his homeland of Argentina, at least partly to avoid papal entanglement in this year’s presidential election.

The trip starts in Ecuador, where falling world prices for oil and minerals threaten to fray the social safety net woven by President Rafael Correa, who has been buffeted for nearly a month by the most serious anti-government street protests of his more than eight years in power. http://news.yahoo.com/native-turf-pope-frances-touches-cherished-issues-040143187.html

July 5, 2015

Poverty and social inclusion will be at the core of his agenda in Latin America, where the gap between the rich and the poor is a major problem.

“Francisco is hopeful that Latin America will show in a near future new paths of compassion to the rest of the world” Gustavo Vera, the Pope’s friend, says.

But not everyone in Ecuador is celebrating his arrival – or the $3m (1.9m) it is costing.

Homeless people and shoeshine boys in Quito’s grand central square share the plaza with the impressive cathedral.

Irene Casillas, a make-up saleswoman from Quito, says it is this sort of inequality that made her turn away from the Catholic Church.

“I think the Vatican should get rid of the material things to help those who need it,” she says.

“The arrival of the Pope will not be the solution to all our problems. As soon as he is gone, poverty will still be there.”

Latin America represents nearly 40% of the world’s total Catholic population, with 425 million people.

But, every day, more people like Irene leave the Church or join evangelical communities.

Child abuse scandals and a Vatican seen as being out of touch have led people to turn to other churches. …The “Pope of the Poor” http://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-33396091

Pope Francis frequently talks about the poor. BBC and others have referred to him as the “Pope of the Poor.” His encyclical Laudato Si used the term ‘poor,’ ‘poorer,’ and ‘poorest’ at least 60 times. When that encyclical came out last month, I wrote a post titled Laudato Si: Will Pope Francis’ economic actions match his words?

So far, Pope Francis’ actions have not followed his words.

Pope Francis, within days of becoming pontiff, declared, “Oh, how I would like a poor Church, and for the poor” (see Pope Francis: Do his comments about the poor show that he intend to fulfill biblical and Catholic prophecies about the final Antichrist?). Is it possible that he is suggesting that since his church holds enormous wealth in bank accounts, land, art, and jewels, that perhaps he intends to distribute some of this wealth (see Pope Francis claims he wants his church to be poor and help the poor)? Would he not then set an example he wants others to follow as he indicated in his Laudato Si?

Pope Francis must be aware that the Bible teaches:

15 If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? 17 Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. (James 2:15-17)

Someday, he or another pontiff, will decide that on this point that they should walk the walk and not simply talk the talk.

Speaking about other economic issues, the Pope recently made some statements about the situation in Greece:

Pope Francis said July 1 expressed his closeness to the Greek people who are suffering the effects of the current crisis, the Holy See Press Office said.

European officials have said no to further negotiations with Greece before a national referendum planned for July 5, noting that the Athens government’s vote holds peril for the country no matter which option Greeks choose.

Francis described the news from Greece “regarding the economic and social situation of the country as worrying.”

He said he “conveys his closeness to all the Greek people, with a special thought for the many families gravely beset by such a complex and keenly felt human and social crisis.”

“The dignity of the human person must remain at the center of any political and technical debate, as well as in the taking of responsible decisions” the Pope noted.

He invited all the faithful to “unite in prayer for the good of the beloved Greek people.” http://www.ecumenicalnews.com/article/pope-francis-says-let-greeks-have-dignity-while-urging-responsible-decisions-31172

Today, the Greeks voted for a choice between two difficult financial options. Greece will still have problems tomorrow. Will Pope Francis help out?

Might the Pope use some of the wealth of the Vatican to support certain European nations/leaders? I expect this, as it seems to be likely and consistent with the following scriptures:

1…”Come, I will show you the judgment of the great harlot who sits on many waters, 2 with whom the kings of the earth committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth were made drunk with the wine of her fornication.”…9 “Here is the mind which has wisdom: The seven heads are seven mountains on which the woman sits…18:3 For all the nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth have become rich through the abundance of her luxury.” (Revelation 17:1-2,9; 18:3)

Nor do I believe the Vatican will limit its support to Europe. The Church of Rome has a lot of worldly wealth–it is a version of that church that is being discussed above in Revelation. Pope Francis must be aware of the extreme poverty in parts of Latin America, not to mention Africa and certain other parts of the world.

I suspect the time will come when the Vatican will actually sell/give away/pledge some of its wealth to influence world events. Pope Francis has been hinting of this for over two years, so at some point in time, he probably intends to take action to match his rhetoric. This will increase his popularity with the media, European leaders, and others in the world.

If Pope Francis does not end up doing this, he, at minimum, has made various statements that the final Antichrist (which may not be him as that is not certain yet) and the Beast, can point to as justification for wealth distribution.

The Pope wants unity among the world’s religions and nations. Putting the Vatican’s ‘money where his mouth is’ could be something that he will do to try to support that.

The type of unity he wants is NOT unity with original Christianity, but the form impacted by Mithraism.

Here is some of what he said in Ecuador today:

July 5, 2015

Dear friends, I begin my visit filled with excitement and hope for the days ahead. In Ecuador is the point closest to outer space: it is the peak of Chimborazo, which for that reason is called the place “closest to the sun”, the moon and the stars. We Christians identify Christ with the sun, and the moon with the Church, the community of the faithful. No one, save Jesus Christ, possesses his or her own light. May the coming days make all of us ever more clearly aware of how close is the sun which “dawns upon us from on high”. May each of us be a true reflection of his light and his love.

From this place, I wish to embrace all of Ecuador. From the peak of Chimborazo to the Pacific coast; from the Amazon rainforest to the Galapagos Islands, may you never lose the ability to thank God for what he has done and is doing for you. May you never lose the ability to protect what is small and simple, to care for your children and your elderly, to have confidence in the young, and to be constantly struck by the nobility of your people and the singular beauty of your country.

May the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary, to which Ecuador has been consecrated, grant you every grace and blessing. Thank you. http://www.indcatholicnews.com/news.php?viewStory=27854

Early Christians did NOT identify Christ with the sun–the pagan followers of the sun-god Mithras did, and the Greco-Romans adopted that. Early Christians did NOT identify the church with the moon. Early Christians did not invoke Mary nor her heart.

What Pope Francis is trying to do is not related to restoring knowledge of true Christianity. He promotes a faith that original Christians did not have. We will see if he decides money will help.

Some items of related interest may include:

Mexico, Central America, South America, Brazil, and the Caribbean in Prophecy [Español: México, América central, Suramérica, Brasil y el Caribe en la profecía] [Português: México, América Central, Ámérica do Sul, e Brasil na profecia] What will happen to those of Latin America? Will they have prosperity? Will they cooperate with Europe? Will they suffer in the future? What role might the various Caribbean nations/territories play?
Do You Practice Mithraism? Many practices and doctrines that mainstream so-called Christian groups have are the same or similar to those of the sun-god Mithras. December 25th was celebrated as his birthday. Do you follow Mithraism combined with the Bible or original Christianity? A sermon video from Vatican City is titled Church of Rome, Mithras, and Isis?
United Nations: Humankind’s Last Hope or New World Order? Is the UN the last hope for humanity? Or might its goals end up with sinister results? A related video would be United Nations and Vatican Are Planning the New World Order.
Sunday and Christianity Was Sunday observed by the apostolic and true post-apostolic Christians? Who clearly endorsed Sunday? What relevance is the first or the “eighth” day?
Europa, the Beast, and the Book of Revelation discusses the largest church since the second/third century, which in a real sense is the eighth church mentioned in the Book of Revelation (it also endorses “eighth day” worship). What church would support the Beast? Here is a link to a video titled: Can You Prove that the Beast to Come is European?
Why Should American Catholics Fear Unity with the Orthodox? Are the current ecumenical meetings a good thing or will they result in disaster? Is doctrinal compromise good? Here is a link to a related video Should you be concerned about the ecumenical movement?
Will the Interfaith Movement Lead to Peace or Sudden Destruction? Is the interfaith movement going to lead to lasting peace or is it warned against? A video of related interest could be Do You Know That Babylon is Forming?
Pope Francis: Could this Marian Focused Pontiff be Fulfilling Prophecy? Pope Francis has taken many steps to turn people more towards his version of ‘Mary.’ Could this be consistent with biblical and Catholic prophecies? This article documents what has been happening. There is also a video version titled Pope Francis: Could this Marian Focused Pontiff be Fulfilling Prophecy?
Feast of the Immaculate Conception? Did early Christians teach Mary had an immaculate conception and led a sinless life?
Origin of the Marian Dogmas: Where Do Catholic Scholars Say The Four Dogmas of Mary Came From?
Assumption of Mary Did Mary die? Was she taken to heaven on August 15th? What is known? What does the Bible show?
Could Pope Francis be the Last Pope and Antichrist? According to some interpretations of the prophecies of the popes by the Catholic saint and Bishop Malachy, Pope Francis I is in the position of “Peter the Roman,” the pontiff who reigns during tribulations until around the time of the destruction of Rome. Do biblical prophecies warn of someone that sounds like Peter the Roman? Could Francis I be the heretical antipope of Catholic private prophecies and the final Antichrist of Bible prophecy? This is a YouTube video.
The Malachy Prophecies and “Peter the Roman” An Irish bishop allegedly predicted something about 112 popes in the 12th century. Pope Benedict XVI was number 111. Francis would seem to be number 112–if he is that one–and if so, he is to reign until Rome is destroyed. May he be an antipope/final Antichrist?
Which Is Faithful: The Roman Catholic Church or the Continuing Church of God? Do you know that both groups shared a lot of the earliest teachings? Do you know which church changed? Do you know which group is most faithful to the teachings of the apostolic church? Which group best represents true Christianity? This documented article answers those questions. [Português: Qual é fiel: A igreja católica romana ou a igreja do deus?]
The Last Pope Do Biblical and Catholic Prophecies Point to Pope Francis? Why might Pope Francis be the last pope? What happens if he is? Biblical and other prophecies help explain what to expect.
The Last Pope: Do Biblical and Catholic Prophecies Point to Pope Francis? Amazon Book What does the Bible say about a pope near this time? Is the final pope to be an antipope and antichrist? Does Catholic prophecy point to Pope Francis as being the dreaded “Peter the Roman”? This 186 page book provides information and answers.
The Last Pope: Do Biblical and Catholic Prophecies Point to Pope Francis? Kindle This electronic version of the printed book which is available for only US$2.99. And you do not need an actual Kindle device to read it. Why? Amazon will allow you to download it to almost any device: Please click HERE to download one of Amazon s Free Reader Apps. After you go to for your free Kindle reader and then go to The Last Pope: Do Biblical and Catholic Prophecies Point to Pope Francis? Kindle.