With the new encyclical “Dilexit Nos,” Pope Francis has reached deep into the box of love. It almost languishes in his new letter to humanity. A manifesto of emotions.
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The love encyclical Dilexit Nos
Pope Francis was busy again and published another encyclical. After the environmental and climate encyclical “Laudato Si'” (2015 – Info) and its expansion with “Laudate Deum” (2023 – Info), the “fraternal” encyclical “Fratelli Tutti” (2020), the ecyclical “Dilexit Nos” followed on October 24, 2024 (Source).
After environmental issues, fraternity, the call to finally address environmental issues, Pope Francis is now concerned with the Heart of Jesus and the love it conveys. Humanity needs more love for one another in order to be able to meet the challenges presented. People need the “Sacred Heart spirituality”. Only the heart of Jesus is able to create unity in a torn world.
Jesus and a lot of “saints”
The new encyclical is dripping with love in all possible aspects. In this regard, the pontiff not only names Jesus as a shining example of the heart, but also a number of “saints”, such as Francis de Sales, Charles de Foucauld, Theresa of the Child Jesus, Claude de la Colombière and last but not least Ignatius of Loyola. The latter is the main founder of the order “Society of Jesus (SJ)” (Jesuits) and the Pope dedicates an extensive devotion to this association.
Loyola’s spiritual practices facilitated “inner knowledge of the Lord” for “increased love and allegiance.” The first general superior of the Jesuit order practiced experiencing the gospel in spirit. The practitioner can imagine standing at the foot of the cross with the dying Jesus and thus entering his heart. This is a way to “let the heart mature through the hand of a master of love.”
Such a meditation is able to get to know the “love of the Lord” and also “illuminate ecclesiastical renewal”.
Philosophy instead of gospel
Pope Francis clearly believes in emotional love in people. For this purpose, the pontiff uses the philosophies of Byung-Chul Han, a South Korean-German philosopher, author and cultural scientist, interpreted by Martin Heidegger. “Thinking cannot begin without a deep feeling,” is one conclusion of this philosophy. Emotions should therefore dominate and not the (prudent) mind. A consistent continuation of Vatican II and the “Charismatic Renewal” that emerged from it. But feelings have as little to do with true beliefs as the East has with the West.
Such a “matter of the heart” cannot remain a purely private matter, but must be used to change the world for the better. This begins in the heart. Individual transformation must benefit broader social renewal.
Here too, Pope Francis emphasizes his prioritization of the common good. It is not the individual but the collective that counts. With this encyclical the Pontiff connects his encyclical Fratelli Tutti with the emotional heart of Jesus. A philosophy that leads somewhere but not to the exclusive path of salvation through Jesus Christ according to the Gospel. After Pope Francis indirectly declared war on individualism, even described it as a disease, described conversion and believers as a plague, recently declared every religion as a path to God and some time ago described the cross as a mistake, we are surprised this “love frenzy encyclical” doesn’t really work.
Seduction in the rush of love
The beast from the bottomless pit (Revelation 11 and 17) is already in action. The 2 witnesses described in Revelation 11 (collectively the gospel) are under attack. This is not in the medieval variant of brutal persecution and destruction, but rather in the spirit of “love and care”. That’s the only way seduction works (Info).
And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.
Matthew 24:4
Bible verses from King James Version (1611)
