On Sunday, January 22, 2017, Council to President Trump and Kellyanne Conway went on the 60 Minute news show and presented “Alternative Facts” as a bonified concept in defense of what is considered a “Lie” advanced by Press Secretary Sean Spicer about the size of the crowd at the Presidents first inauguration. The use of “Alternative Facts” to counter the notion of accuracy and truth, at least in the politics and media of the time, was the main subject of contention in the confrontation between Chuck Todd, the 60 Minute interviewer, and Conway.
That event is what came to mind when I saw the Artificial Intelligence (AI) created portrait of President Trump as the new Pope announced on his network. That fantasy, concocted after the death of Pope Francis, is a reminder that in Trump’s world the mounting of alternative realities is a common currency of communication.
The presentation of “Pope Trump” perhaps as a throw away line of distraction from the tariff debacle, created an echo effect that reverberated in the belief systems of America and the world. This creation and a religious improbability that could not be imagined, the College of Cardinals in Rome elected an American from Chicago to lead the Church.
Commentators appear perplexed that given that the United States holds the majority of the sway around the world, the last thing one would think about is to elect an American as Pope and add to that pressure. In doing so however, I believe the cardinals considered both the quality of the man and the real and symbolic role he may play in balancing a high technology driven reality created out of a sense of entitlement on the part of those in control of America (and the world?) and their wealthy and powerful allies.
First, Robert Francis Prevost chose an academic path that goes at the foundations of our reason. His academic preparation shows a primary dedication to a traditional concept of truth.
His major at Loyola University was Mathematics. Math is the only language of substance that can question itself as well as go where no others can.
Its notion of truth can be measured far beyond the elemental reality of being. It cannot be defeated by real or imagined fabrications that robotically repeat the message of invented alternatives.
Second, his ministry is based on loyalty to the gospel, unity, peace, justice and compassion. It is also a calling to the notion of building bridges so that everyone can see themselves as being one people.
Third, when we dig deeper, Pope Leo XIV approaches the kind of America that is being diminished and belittled by those in this country that believe that “America First” is a concept reserved only for themselves. Among his ancestors are Europeans like Italians, French and people of color such as Haitian and Creole among others.
It is significant that in his first speech as Pope, Leo IV “began in Italian, added a few lines in Spanish, and concluded with the traditional blessing in Latin. He didn’t speak a word of English. He sent greetings to his former diocese of Chiclayo, in Peru, but not to his hometown of Chicago, Illinois.”
It is with the marginalized people of Peru that Pope Leo XIV made a major contributions to his ministry. The mission to Chiclayo symbolizes the elements that forms the bases of his ministry.
That is the mission he is bringing to the United States. That is the reality that presents no alternative to the truth.
The views expressed by David Conde are not necessarily the views of LaVozColorado. Comments and responses may be directed to News@lavozcolorado.com.
