
“The first image of Pope Francis since he was hospitalized over a month ago was released by the Vatican on Sunday.
Axios
The photograph shows Pope Francis sitting in a wheelchair in a chapel at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital after he supposedly celebrated Mass with other priests.
The pontiff did not “celebrate” Mass, he is infirm, confined to a wheelchair, can barely speak and is too weak to participate in any of the rituals of the Mass.
The leader of 1.39 billion Roman Catholics is alone, and he is observing Mass not in the magnificent and iconic St. Peter’s Cathedral in Vatican City, but in a humble hospital chapel.
This image is a metaphor of how old age and infirmity has separated him from his flock; in the end, no matter how powerful, and spiritually connected with are, we die alone as we face the abyss. How cruel that most of us face death not with the vigor of a young person, but with diminished physical and mental health.
The pic depicts him with his back to the camera, the image emphasizes his solitary condition, and it prepares the faithful for the fact that they will soon no longer see his visage.
The Holy Father is a hospitalized 88-year-old man with chronic health issues, why isn’t he allowed to resign with a measure of dignity, instead of lingering on until he finally dies.
This photograph is an illustration of how a patriarchal religious institution is out of step with today’s world.