Knights of Malta suspend ‘Dictator Pope’ author
The author of a highly critical book about Pope Francis, entitled The Dictator Pope, has been suspended by the Knights of Malta.
In a statement the order said it disassociated itself from the book and condemned the “vile attack against the Pope”.
The order said author Henry Sire has been suspended pending the results of an investigation.
Mr Sire had lived in the Knights’ grand palazzo in Rome from 2013-2017 while he was researching an official history of the order, entitled The Knights of Malta: A Modern Resurrection.
At the same time he apparently researched and wrote The Dictator Pope which was released first in Italian and then in English. Mr Sire’s true identity was published in conservative Catholic media.
The book traces key moments in Francis’ ecclesial career, from his troubled tenure in Argentina to his election as Pope thanks to the ‘Mafia of San Gallo’ – a group of progressive cardinals who backed his election. The order stated that the book in no way reflects the views of the order.
Going to Confession is receiving God’s embrace – Pope
God always loves and always remains faithful to his children, despite their sin and idolatry, Pope Francis said.
“The faithful God cannot disavow himself, cannot disavow us, cannot deny his love, cannot deny his people, he cannot because he loves us,” the Pope said in his homily at morning Mass in the Domus Sanctae Marthae.
God’s love is as “visceral” as a mother’s love for her child, he said.
He said the celebration of Mother’s Day in Argentina expresses this indelible connection as it is customary to give forget-me-not flowers to moms.
“This is God’s love, like mom’s. God doesn’t forget us. Never. He can’t; he is faithful to his covenant,” he said.
It is a love that offers joy, too, especially with the sacrament of reconciliation, he said.
The Pope reminded people that when they go to confession, “please, let’s not think that we are going to the dry cleaners to get a stain out. No. We are going to receive the loving embrace of this faithful God who always waits for us. Always”.
