Pope to star in action blockbuster, but don't believe everything you hear

Political pundits have made much about Pope Francis' teachings and what he will do when he arrives in the United States. Will he set the political stage alight with fiery rhetoric about all the big campaign issues?

style="margin:0;padding:0;font-family: arial; font-size: 10pt; word-wrap: break-word;">LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - If you listen to the pop media, you could come away with the impression that Pope Francis is the great blockbuster of the season. He's predicted to star in the latest action film where he metes out justice to greedy American capitalists and corrupt politicians, saving the country from an evil industrial plot to destroy the planet with global warming.

As much as some might enjoy that movie, it isn't being made. Once again, the media is working overtime to co-opt Pope Francis for their pet causes. Why? Because American media has biases and none of those biases are friends with the truth. The Pope is a powerful man and his alliance could legitimize everything each media outlet stands for.

How tragic.

The Vatican came out with the spoiler alert long ago, warning that Pope Francis would be sticking to the topic of the family during his visit. This doesn't bode well for those on the political left who like Pope Francis, except when he's talking about marriage and the family.

For those on the right, there is fear Pope Francis will discuss income inequality and will say something to energize the nation's youth, who are much farther to the left in their politics than most are comfortable admitting. This isn't likely to happen either because Pope Francis isn't that kind of revolutionary. Indeed, if they truly understood his position, they'd find it as hard to follow him as to fit through the eye of a needle, because it would first start with them returning to church, instead of the protest march.

While Pope Francis will wow the crowds, two things are for sure. First, he will talk about the family and little else. He will reinforce the importance of marriage and suggest people find ways to strengthen their own marriages while supporting those around them. He will tell people to go to church and to raise their children right.

Second, you can rest assured of this happy news, the media will find something Pope Francis says and spin it into fabric for the emperor's new clothes. Within the space of an hour, headlines will erupt with the bombshell that Pope Francis somehow approves of homosexual marriages or that we need to redistribute wealth in America, or he may even endorse a political candidate. Hillary Clinton, perhaps? It's not so far-fetched when you see what the media has done to his other statements.

The Papal visit is an occasion of much joy, but it is also a solemn occasion. Like the homecoming of a father, there should be joy. However, there comes a moment after a homecoming when you must sit and listen to what your father has to say.

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While we can celebrate his arrival, we need to calmly listen to what he has to say to us as Catholics. We need to reflect on his message and find ways to make his advice come alive in our lives.

Most importantly, we need to consider what he says from the Catholic perspective, and we should develop the habit of ignoring the banal media hype and sound bites.

When we listen to our Holy Father, there is much he says that we may not like. Jesus said things that were unpopular at the time. Our parents said things we did not like to hear. Our priests deliver homilies that make us uncomfortable. But rather than shut these feelings out, we need to use them as a cue to examine our consciences and our lives. We need to turn our discomfort into real change that will save our souls.

Importantly, when the media heralds the latest Pope Francis quote and begins talking about American political issues, turn the television off. These talking heads can only mislead you, for you do not have the Catholic perspective through which to correctly view the situation. If you want the true view, ask your parish priest, read the coverage of Catholic Online, or post a question to Deacon Keith Fournier, who has an amazing grasp on what Pope Francis is really trying to teach.

MSN and FOX have agendas. Those agendas aren't Catholic, so why would you listen to them for Catholic understanding?

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