During a conversation with Jesuits on his recent visit to Slovakia, Pope Francis called out a large Catholic media network for relentlessly attacking him in his role as pope. That network is the U.S. based Eternal Word Television Network, founded by Mother Angelica. What does Pope Francis' comment mean for Catholics, particularly Catholics in the media? Do his words and actions as pope require correction? What is an appropriate way to criticize the pope?

Fr. Aquinas Guilbeau, a Dominican Friar and moral theologian, joins Gloria to bring some clarity to the story. Pope Francis doesn't take offense when people criticize him personally or the prudential decisions he makes, says Fr. Aquinas. But when that criticism turns against his exercise of the papacy and threatens the unity of the church, the church itself comes under attack.

Please support Gloria's podcast! Get a digital subscription to America today!

Links:

Pope Francis responds to attacks from EWTN, other church critics: ‘They are the work of the devil.’

Why don’t the U.S. bishops defend Pope Francis from American media attacks?

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices