Italy: Freemasons Pay Tribute to Francis
Under the title "Francis, the Last Pope," the Grand Lodge of Italy of Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons (ALAM) expressed its final respects to the late Pope, joining "in the universal sorrow for the passing of Pope Francis, a pastor who, through his teaching and his life, embodied the values of fraternity, humility, and the pursuit of a global humanism."
We must certainly be cautious with this type of tribute, which is given from a particular point of view and seeks to relate certain ideas to Masonic ideals, even if they have little connection with them. But, in this case, the connections are unfortunately too numerous, and ALAM's prose is based on the late Pope's own doctrine.
The Italian Grand Lodge wishes "to pay homage to the vision of Pope Francis, whose work deeply resonates with the principles of Freemasonry: the centrality of the person, respect for the dignity of each individual, the construction of a community of solidarity, and the pursuit of the common good." It also draws on the encyclical Fratelli tutti.
As for values, ALAM explains that "Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity are the three fundamental values of Freemasonry. Overcoming divisions, ideologies, and single-minded thinking to recognize the richness of differences and build a humanity united in diversity—such was Francis's ardent desire, and it is the same objective pursued by the Grand Lodge of Italy."
As for the means, the text continues by emphasizing that "Pope Francis knew how to combine faith and reason. … A faith capable of questioning, of welcoming doubt, and engaging in dialogue, which is also found in the Masonic initiatory method, founded on a path free from dogma, sustained by the incessant search for truth,” the text states.
As for the goals, “Francis’s pontificate has placed the last at the center, together with care for the planet and an ethic of development founded on human dignity. This too can be found in the Masonic construction of the Inner Temple based on tolerance, solidarity, and resistance against hatred and ignorance, and finds a profound correspondence in the pastoral work of Bergoglio, who, with his ‘gentle revolution,’ has shown that humility and dialogue are instruments of authentic strength.”
Finally, “the Grand Lodge of Italy identifies with Pope Francis’s call for a ‘planetary consciousness’ which recognizes humanity as a community of destiny.” And he concludes: "We honor his memory by continuing to work for an ethic of limits, for the respect of others, and for the construction of a Temple founded on solidarity, freedom of thought, and universal brotherhood."
Of course, one would have to sort through the concepts used by the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Italy and the words used to compare them with Francis’s thinking. But the connections made in this text are far from being simple verbal coincidences.
It seems that Francis's thinking was deeply colored by the Masonic ideals that have been pervading the world through the revolutionary movements of the past two centuries. This was indeed the Masons's plan. This Masonic spirit was present in the Church before Francis, but it was particularly visible during his pontificate. What remains is to pray that the Church will be purged of it in the coming pontificate.
(Source : Gran Loggia d’Italia – FSSPX.Actualités)
