Effect of Pope’s Ideologies in Italy’s Multiculturalism

The Effect of Pope’s Ideologies in Italy’s Multiculturalism

Name

Institutional Affiliation

Date of Submission

The Effect of Pope’s Ideologies in Italy’s Multiculturalism

Ideologies refer to the way people take worldly things into perspective. This regards the ideas on how to live and survive in the world. Ideologies take into account the fact that people always consider their take on certain issues as the most appropriate. In this regard, a highly influential person may have several ideologies that shape the society’s perspective in a myriad of ways (Vallely, 2013). This follows that people will have soft hearts as well as pay close attention to such ideologies since they come from individuals highly respected in the society. Several people may have several ideologies but most ideologies always touch on the current, as well as emerging issues affecting the society (Lanser, 2013). A number of ideologies always dwell on the political status of the society. However, some ideologies revolve around the spiritual matters. Other than individual ideals, ideology may also refer to shared beliefs amongst a group of individuals, a sovereign nation or a religion. Several ideologies have seen people achieve victories, acquire knowledge, as well as progress to success in life (Vallely, 2013). This is because different ideologies enlighten people on different issues. Others act to motivate, warn, as well as give hearts to the distressed individuals in the society.

Pope Francis is the current pope of the Roman Catholic. He has been highly influential with his spiritual ideologies in Italy (Vallely, 2013). Italy is a multicultural nation with people of different religions, cultures, races, and origins. A number of the inhabitants are refugees whereas some are economic migrants. It is significant to note that the pope is a highly placed spiritual figure in the world. Therefore, his views on certain social matters can greatly influence the public perception on such matters. This follows that several people believe in him as well as take reverence to his speeches. The pope stands a high ground to influence the society in a number of ways following the fact that he is an influential figure in the spiritual realm. The Pope’s teachings are always laden with several ideologies. These involve ideologies in morality, capitalism, abortion, and creative transformation (Lanser, 2013). In addition, several ideologies of the pope always encompass the views on poverty and economic disparity, starvation, emerging matters affecting the church, as well as matters affecting women in the church.

The Pope’s ideologies on abortion have affected the Italians perceptions in several manners. Several people have viewed the issue of abortion as being sinful. Therefore, a number of people have shunned abortion following their belief on the right to life of every individual. The Pope has been consistent in opposing the issue of abortion as well as taking notice even of its legality and practice. In his service, the Pope has sent several letters to different clergy insisting on denial to communion to catholic politicians who advocate for abortion (Francis et al, 2013). This has been in a bid to ensure that the issue of abortion is discouraged right from the political stance. Politics always stand a chance of influencing the perception of citizens in several ways. In addition, politicians can set certain policies that hinder the rights of other individuals and force for compliance from the citizens. In this case, those whose rights may be affected by abortion are the unborn children (Francis et al, 2013). This denies them a chance to life, what Pope Francis has adamantly opposed.

In the month of May 2013, the Pope participated in a pro-life campaign event carried out in Italy. The event championed the rights to life of every person, right from conception. In the event, Pope Francis urged all the participants to advocate protection of human life right from conception (Vallely, 2013). The Pope has been so adamant in his views on abortion even before the faces of the health professionals. In a meeting with the Catholic gynecologists, the pope clearly condemned the issue of abortion. In his definition, he termed abortion as a throwaway culture. He espoused his stance that every unborn child condemned to abortion bears the face of the Lord. The ideology of the pope on this matter of abortion has massively affected the Italians’ perception. This has seen several people change their perception on abortion, its practice, as well as legality. Several people in Italy have viewed abortion as an immoral vice packaged with denial of the right to life of the unborn (Francis et al, 2013). Many Christians have viewed abortion as sinful; therefore, they have criticized and condemned it with passion.

The Pope’s ideologies regarding poverty and economic disparities have also affected the perceptions of the people in a number of ways in Italy. Italy is a multicultural state consisting of migrant individuals of different backgrounds, cultures, religions, and social status. Some are refugees while others are job seekers. Concerning these differences, the pope has requested the people to consider each other as equals. The pope also denounced human trafficking in his teachings (Lanser, 2013). His ideologies have made the Italians to develop astounding sympathy to refugees as well as denounce human trafficking. The pope asserts that victims of human trafficking, displacements, as well as refugees should be given special pastoral and spiritual care. This is crucial in helping such individuals integrate well into the society. This ideology has shaped the Italians’ view on such people. This means that the ideologies have imparted traits of humility, sympathy, and humanness amongst the people of Italy. This has also instilled the spirit of peace and hospitability amongst the citizens, a virtue of Christianity.

The pope also showed a sense of sympathy to individuals when he condemned the low pays that the workers got despite their hard work (Vallely, 2013). He asserts that the collapse of the building arose from the low pays that the workers received. Other than the Pope Francis, Bergoglio also observed a sense of humility, sympathy, and equality amongst individuals regardless of their economic statuses (Lanser, 2013). This followed the public servant strike in Buenos Aires, where the haves persecuted the have-nots. Bergoglio also showed humility to the weak, the sick, and the poor in an instance where he washed and kissed the feet of twelve patients suffering from HIV/AIDS (Francis et al, 2013). This was crucial since it taught the public how to care for the victims of any circumstance without looking down upon them. This has led to change in behavior, perception, and sense amongst the people of Italy. It has created a sense of goodwill, humility, and hospitability amongst the people of Italy. In addition, it has also dispelled the spirit of discrimination of individuals, no matter the observable differences. All these have made the people of Italy to embrace a sense of unity and modesty.

Pope Francis has also put forward several ideologies touching on morality. This has been in a bid to respond to God’s mercy. This links to St. Bede’s phrase on the incident where Jesus saw the tax collector through eyes of mercy, thereby, choosing him (Francis et al, 2013). This was viewed as an encounter with the Lord. Pope Francis has had several ideologies regarding morality and its importance in the spiritual realm. He insists that morality puts people right with the creator. He asserts that morality leads to growth and transformation in the mind, heart, and personality (Vallely, 2013). In this perspective, the Pope has urged people to shun immorality in all levels. This has shaped the minds of the people of Italy in several perspectives. The people have come to realize that in order to be put right with the Lord, they must uphold high levels of morality. Therefore, the pope’s ideologies have led to change in behavior amongst the people of Italy. This has even influenced the people’s perception on matters regarding abortion. These ideologies have resulted to change in mind and perceptions amongst the people of Italy, thus creating a sense of brotherhood, rationality, and humanness.

Conclusion

The ideologies of Pope Francis have greatly affected Italy’s multiculturalism. The religious status of the pope has ensured several people pay close attention to his teachings and ideologies; hence, influencing how they perceive different things. A number of his ideologies touch on morality issues, abortion, poverty, and economic disparities. The pope advocates for morality in humanity as it puts man right with God. In addition, he strongly opposes the issue of abortion as it denies a right to life. Moreover, he champions the sense of equality amongst human beings regardless of their origins, economic statuses, as well as religions. These ideologies have made the Italians change their minds, behavior, and views on several matters. They have developed a sense of humility towards each other, unity, and brotherhood. In addition, the Popes ideologies have ensured imparting of elements of rationality and humanness within the multicultural Italy.

References

Francis., Skorka, A., Bermudez, A., Goodman, H., & In Rosemberg, D. (2013). On heaven and Earth: Pope Francis on faith, family and the Church in the twenty-first century.

Lanser, A. (2013). Pope Francis: Spiritual leader and voice of the poor.

Vallely, P. (2013). Pope Francis: Untying the knots.