In the editorial of the latest edition of Position Papers, Fr. Gavan Jennings writes: "It is clear that there is something stirring in the USA and in the Anglosphere at large. First intellectually, and now also politically, there is a growing dissent from the established anti-Christian ruling elite. Perhaps then the election of a man who comes from within this world will turn out to be politically timely. To this it is objected that Pope Leo has not lived in the USA for decades, but I doubt that is particularly relevant. He grew up in a very American family (his very American brothers Louis and John are a testament to this), and received all his education in American institution. And the fact that he is a lifelong fan of the Chicago White Sox means a lot for Americans".
This passage brought to mind a blog post I wrote about "soft bonds" nine years ago (which I declared a "revolutionary new sociological concept", with tongue-in-cheek pomposity). Even in the blog post I express a sort of bashfulness about writing it. And it never got any response. But maybe I was onto something! So many people have mentioned the Pope's White Sox connection, and not entirely in jest.
Even though American football is the more popular sport in general in America, baseball is still held in high esteem as far as America's view of itself and so his devoted participation in something seem as so uniquely American means a lot to people, especially as Chicago is seen as being in many regards the most American of our big cities. New York is looked on with annoyance by much of America as are any of California's cities. Chicago has its problems but it isn't as despised in quite the same way.
ReplyDeleteI, however, find it humorous that they managed to pick what seems like the only American cardinal with no Irish ancestry.