Pope warns against curiosity, credulity for visionary apparitions
November 14, 2013
During his homily at a weekday Mass on November 14, Pope Francis warned against the “spirit of curiosity,” in remarks directed at those who place their faith in extraordinary claims and in reported apparitions.
Commenting on the day’s reading from the Book of Wisdom, the Pope said that the Holy Spirit brings peace, unity, and serenity. This, he said, contrasts sharply with the spirit of curiosity, which arises “when we want to be the masters of the projects of God, of the future.”
The Pope rejected the attitude of those who say, “But I know a visionary, who receives letters from Our Lady.” The Virgin Mary loves all mankind, the Holy Father said. “She is not a postmaster, sending messages every day.”
The longing for extraordinary messages and signs, the Pope said, can “distance us from the Gospel, from the Holy Spirit, from peace and wisdom, from the glory of God, from the beauty of God.”
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Further information:
- Pope: the spirit of curiosity distances one from God (Vatican Radio)
- Pope: Our Lady "is not a postmistress, who sends messages every day" (AsiaNews)
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Posted by: Bveritas2322 -
Nov. 15, 2013 1:12 AM ET USA
He seems to be setting the stage for an unfavorable report on the hoax of Medjugorje. Praise the Lord. It's about time.
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Posted by: jg23753479 -
Nov. 14, 2013 12:47 PM ET USA
Not one who receives a letter every day, but we all know of people in former Yugoslavia who say they receive messages every day and have for years. It seems the pope may have made a judgement about the veracity of those assertions.
