Wow.

Maureen Mullarkey, "Francis in Wonderland" (First Things, May 30, 2014):

The papacy is swaddled in sycophancy in the best of times. Add to that the exultant adulation induced by celebrity culture. It is a heady mix that can beguile a decent man into a grandiose conception of himself that blinds him to the limits of his office. And encourages conceit in his own sympathies.

Francis’ excursion into Middle East politics illustrated the danger of a pope assuming office as a saint-in-waiting. His incautious behavior ought to have received more scrutiny from the Catholic press than it did. Instead, the amen chorus crooned about peace, prayer, and fraternal dialogue, as if fine words pull the sting from the scorpion’s tail.

And so it goes on. Read more >>

Related: Maureen Mullarkey, "Misuse of Prayer" (First Things, May 19, 2014).

[Hat tip to JM]