'''Metal Hero''' is a genre of Japanese tokusatsu television programs. It was produced by Toei, the same company responsible for the ''Super Sentai'' and Kamen Rider series. Beginning in 1982 and ending in 1999, the series usually consist of 1-3 characters transforming into cyborg-like superheroes. In 1994, Haim Saban took footage from the Metal Hero series, and used it for ''VR Troopers'' and in 1996 and 1997 for ''Big Bad BeetleBorgs'' and ''BeetleBorgs Metallix''.

==Series==
*''Space Sheriff Gavan'' (1982)
*''Space Sheriff Sharivan'' (1983)
*''Space Sheriff Shaider'' (1984)
*''Kyojuu Tokusou Juspion'' (1985)
*''Jikuu Senshi Spielban'' (1986)
*''Choujinki Metalder'' (1987)
*''Sekai Ninja Sen Jiraiya'' (1988)
*''Kido Keiji Jiban'' (1989)
*''Special Rescue Police Winspector'' (1990)
*''Super Rescue Solbrain'' (1991)
*''Special Rescue Exeedraft'' (1992)
*''Tokusou Robo Janperson'' (1993)
*''Blue SWAT'' (1994)
*''Juukou B-Fighter'' (1995)
*''B-Fighter Kabuto'' (1996)
*''B-Robo Kabutack'' (1997)
*''Tetsuwan Tantei Robotack'' (1998)

==Adaptations==
*''VR Troopers'' (1994-1996)
*''Big Bad BeetleBorgs'' (1996)
*''BeetleBorgs Metallix'' (1997)

On one episode of ''Big Bad BeetleBorgs,'' the characters of Silver Ray and Karato were adapted from Gun Gibson and Janperson, respectively. Several costumes from B-Fighter and B-Fighter Kabuto would be used on the 10th anniversary of Power Rangers episode, Forever Red. On ''Power Rangers Ninja Steel,'' the character of Sheriff Skyfire was adapted from Jiraya. On ''Power Rangers Beast Morphers,'' Captain Chaku was adapted from Gavan.

==VR Troopers==
In 1994, Saban would use Metal Hero footage for ''VR Troopers'', which was a sister show to ''Mighty Morphin Power Rangers''. However, unlike Power Rangers, ''VR Troopers'' was aired in syndication. Because of this, the show had more violent footage. Initially, the show was pitched as ''Cybertron'', taking footage from the 1987 series, ''Choujinki Metalder''. It starred Jason David Frank, who was already famous playing Tommy Oliver, the Green Ranger on Power Rangers as Adam Steele. Jamie Kennedy was also in the pilot, playing the comic relief. However, due to the popularity of Tommy on Power Rangers, Jason David Frank was brought back to the show as the White Ranger. Coincidentally, Brad Hawkins, who played Ryan Steele on ''VR Troopers'', was going to play the White Ranger. The theme song to ''Cybertron'' is a re-worked version of ''Go Green Ranger Go''. The show was re-worked, adapting footage from ''Jikuu Senshi Spielban'' for additional villains, as well as the characters of J.B. Reese and Kaitlin Starr, and renamed ''VR Troopers''. During the second season of the show, the footage from ''Metalder'' had been used up, and the show began using footage from ''Space Sheriff Shaider'' for new villains as well as Ryan Steele's new suit. The show ended in 1996, mainly due to the fact that there was no more Metal Hero footage to use that would match the motif. ''Spielban'' had been the only show in which there was a female Metal Hero. It was also around this time that Saban was beginning to adapt the 1995 series ''Juukou B-Fighter'' into ''Big Bad BeetleBorgs''.

Out of most American Tokusatsu adaptations, ''VR Troopers'' is the most unique. Shows like ''Power Rangers'' and DIC's ''Superhuman Samurai Syber Squad'' use footage that is at least 1–3 years old by the time the shows aired. From 1993-2009, ''Power Rangers'' was usually one year behind ''Super Sentai''. However, with ''VR Troopers'', the Japanese footage used was several years old by the time the show aired in 1994. The oldest being from ''Shaider'', which aired in Japan in 1984. ''Spielban'' and ''Metalder'' aired in 1986 and 1987 respectively. Because of this, the footage looked very dated. The same instance occurred with ''Saban's Masked Rider'' in 1995. The Japanese show from where it came, ''Kamen Rider Black RX'', originally aired in 1988. An instance like this wouldn't happen again until 2009's ''Kamen Rider Dragon Knight'', which used footage from 2002's ''Kamen Rider Ryuki''.

==BeetleBorgs==
In 1996, ''Big Bad BeetleBorgs'' began airing on Fox Kids. In a stark contrast from ''VR Troopers'', ''BeetleBorgs'' was a more kid-friendly show. Instead of having characters in their 20s, the show focused on pre-teens, around the ages of 10-14. This would be something that would transfer over to Power Rangers in the form of Justin Stewart, the 12 year old Blue Turbo Ranger the following year. One of the more infamous characters on the show was named Flabber, who gained his infamy due to the character's resemblance to Jay Leno. The show would also use footage from another Metal Hero series during one episode of the first season. The characters of Karato and Silver Ray were taken from the series ''Tokusou Robo Janperson'', which had a team-up with the B-Fighters. ''BeetleBorgs'' and it's second season, ''BeetleBorgs Metallix'', used footage from the 1995 and 1996 series, ''Juukou B-Fighter'' and ''B-Fighter Kabuto'', respectively. Much like ''VR Troopers'' before, ''BeetleBorgs'' was cancelled due to lack of Japanese footage. Although the Metal Hero series did continue after ''B-Fighter Kabuto'', it's successor ''B-Robo Kabutack'' (1997) and ''Tetsuwan Tantei Robotack'' (1998) were aimed at a younger audience, with the shows being more kiddie in nature. As far as in the west, Saban would make one more sister show to Power Rangers in the Fall of 1998, called ''Mystic Knights of Tir Na Nog''. The show garnered a fairly positive reaction. It is the only tokusatsu series produced by Saban to not use any Japanese footage. However, it was cancelled after only once season.

==Hiatus 2000-2026==
The Metal Hero genre of shows ended on January 24, 1999, with the final episode of ''Tetsuwan Tantei Robotack''. To fill the timeslot, TV Asahi would air ''Moero!! Robocon'' for the rest of 1999, along side the current Super Sentai series, ''Kyuukyuu Sentai GoGoV''. After the series finished, Toei would bring back the Kamen Rider series, with ''Kamen Rider Kuuga''.

==Return==
The series will return with a new Space Sheriff series, titled ''Space Sheriff Gavan Infinity'', that will air in the timeslot once occupied by Super Sentai sometime in early 2026. This series is also part of the new ''Project R.E.D.'', which many are speculating will be a new sub-genre of tokusatsu.

[[Category:Japan]]

2025-04-21T08:34:40Z

MegaforceBlack:

{|class="infobox" style="font-size:100%; float:right; margin-left:3px; border:1.5px solid black;" align="right" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="3" width="150" border=0
|-
!colspan="2" style="background:#306EFF;text-align:center"|'''<big>Pope Francis</big>'''
|-
|<center>[[File:Pope Francis I.jpg|right|200px|thumb|His Holiness, Pope Francis.]]</center>
|-
|Papacy Began: 13 March 2013
|-
|Papacy Ended: Currently in office
Predecessor: [[Pope Benedict XVI]]
Successor: None
|-
| <hr>
|-
|Born: 17 December 1936, as Jorge Mario Bergoglio
Nationality: [[Argentina|Argentine]]

Motto: ''Miserando atque eligendo''
|-
|Reference style: His Holiness
In person: Your Holiness

In religion: Holy Father
|}
His Holiness '''Pope Francis''' (formerly '''Jorge Mario Bergoglio''', born December 17, 1936, in [[Buenos Aires]], [[Argentina]] - died April 21, 2025) became the [[Pope]] of the [[Roman Catholic Church]] on March 13, 2013<ref>https://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/mar/13/pope-francis-mario-bergoglio-election</ref>. Pope Francis, elected as 266th Roman Catholic pontiff, is the first Jesuit to be elected Pope, the first Pope from a Latin American country (where Catholicism is the predominant religion and where Catholicism is fast-growing) and the first Pope from the Southern Hemisphere as well as the first non-European pope in 1300 years. He succeeded Pope [[Benedict XVI]], to whom he was reportedly the runner-up in the papal election of 2005.<ref name="popesuccession">[https://www.reuters.com/article/2013/03/13/us-pope-succession-bergoglio-idUSBRE92C15X20130313 Reuters: ''Pope Succession'']</ref> Archbishop Bergoglio was created a cardinal by the late [[Pope John Paul II]].

Pope Francis courageously points out, contrary to the view of [[globalist]]s, that [[NATO]] started the [[Russia-Ukraine war]] by "barking at [[Putin]]'s door."<ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-faLoCQU8w4</ref><ref>https://www.ibtimes.com/barking-putins-door-pope-francis-suggests-nato-started-war-ukraine-provoking-russia-3493028</ref> Pope Francis leads in March 2024 in seeking peace in [[Ukraine]].

Pope Francis is considered to be politically [[liberal]] on every issue except three: he is [[pro-life]], he opposes the [[transgender agenda]], and he opposes [[perpetual war]] in [[Ukraine]]. Accordingly, the [[pro-abort]] (and pro-transgender) media demands that he resign. Meanwhile, he has called criticism from conservatives an "honor,"<ref>Multiple references:
*McLean, Dorothy Cummings (September 5, 2019). [https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/pope-francis-calls-it-an-honor-to-have-americans-attack-him Pope Francis calls it ‘an honor’ to have Americans ‘attack’ him]. ''LifeSiteNews''. Retrieved September 5, 2019.
*Williams, Thomas D. (September 4, 2019). [https://www.breitbart.com/faith/2019/09/04/pope-francis-honor-be-attacked-americans/ Pope Francis: ‘It Is an Honor to Be Attacked by the Americans’]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved September 5, 2019.
*Rodrigo, Chris Mills (September 4, 2019). [https://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/459948-pope-francis-calls-attacks-from-us-church-conservatives-an Pope Francis calls attacks from conservative critics an 'honor']. ''The Hill''. Retrieved September 4, 2019.
*Winfield, Nicole (September 4, 2019). [https://www.apnews.com/e3a96e45819f4492b1ee0d6ed1524b0d Pope on critics: It’s ‘an honor if the Americans attack me’]. ''Associated Press''. Retrieved September 4, 2019.</ref> and he endorsed a bigoted essay attacking conservative Catholics and evangelicals.<ref>Williams, Thomas D. (September 27, 2019). [https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2019/09/27/pope-francis-endorses-essay-trashing-u-s-conservative-christians/ Pope Francis Endorses Essay Trashing U.S. Conservative Christians]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved September 27, 2019.</ref> He has called on Christians to ignore the [[Great Commission]].<ref>Williams, Thomas D. (December 22, 2019). [https://www.breitbart.com/faith/2019/12/22/pope-francis-tells-christians-not-to-try-to-convert-nonbelievers/ Pope Francis Tells Christians Not to Try to Convert Nonbelievers]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved December 22, 2019.</ref><ref>Montagna, Diane (December 23, 2019). [https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/does-pope-francis-repudiate-the-great-commission Does Pope Francis repudiate the Great Commission?] ''LifeSiteNews''. Retrieved December 23, 2019.</ref>

[[Africa]]n Catholics fully repudiated Pope Francis's approval of blessings for [[homosexual]]s, and he accepted their defiance as a "special case" due to culture,<ref>https://www.cnn.com/2024/02/07/europe/pope-francis-defends-same-sex-blessings-intl/index.html</ref> but pushed back against [[conservative]]s in [[Europe]] and the [[U.S.]] who have likewise criticized him.
== Background ==
[[File:Card. Jorge Bergoglio SJ, 2008.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Pope Francis when he was Cardinal of [[Buenos Aires]].]]
Pope Francis entered the Society of Jesus in 1958. As a [[Jesuit]], Cardinal Bergoglio rejected and opposed [[liberation theology]] in [[South America]].

The son of an Italian workman who emigrated to [[Argentina]], Cardinal Bergoglio chose to carry the name of an Italian saint, "Francis", while serving as Pope. And like his papal namesake, [[St. Francis of Assisi|St. Francis]], Cardinal Bergoglio has an [[Ascesis|ascetic]] and humble lifestyle.

Pope Francis has overcome a disability: as a young man, one of his lungs was removed due to illness.

The Pope is the spiritual leader of 1.2 billion people - almost 17% of the Earth's population and 55% of all Christians.

== Naming conventions ==

[[Vatican City|Vatican]] tradition holds that when a new Pope is elected and takes a name that has not been used by a prior pope, they will be referred to simply as "Pope ______", rather than "Pope ______ I" until another pope has taken the same name. In this case "Pope Francis<ref name="popename">[https://www.latimes.com/news/world/worldnow/la-fg-wn-vatican-pope-francis-name-20130313,0,1309501.story Los Angeles Times: ''Pope Naming'']</ref><ref name="popename2">[https://www.cnn.com/2013/03/13/world/pope-name/index.html?hpt=hp_t1 CNN: ''Pope Francis' name choice 'precedent shattering''']</ref> An exception to the rule occurred when Albino Luciani was elected Pope on August 26, 1978, and took the name, Pope John Paul I.<ref>Pericle Felici made the following announcement in Latin, Annuntio vobis gaudium magnum: Habemus Papam! Eminentissimum ac reverendissimum Dominum, Dominum Albinum Sanctæ Romanæ Ecclesiæ Cardinalem Luciani, qui sibi nomen imposuit Ioannis Pauli Primi</ref>

[[File:Pope Francis march 2013 First mass.jpg|thumb|right|Pope Francis' first mass]]

== Personality ==

Pope Francis has shown to be very affectionate toward the poor, the sick, and the needy. Rather than flaunt his position as the head of the Church, with the expectation of being acknowledged, he humbles himself when in the presence of those less-fortunate.<ref name="cerebralpalsy">[https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/acts-of-faith/wp/2015/09/26/pope-francis-saw-a-boy-with-cerebral-palsy-this-is-what-happened-next/ Washington Post: ''Pope Francis saw a boy with cerebral palsy. This is what happened next'']</ref>

== Evangelii Gaudium: The Joy of the Gospel ==

In the Apostolic Exhortation ''Evangelii Gaudium'', Pope Francis invited all to a renewed daily personal encounter with Jesus Christ Our Lord, "3. I invite all Christians, everywhere, at this very moment, to a renewed personal encounter with Jesus Christ, or at least an openness to letting him encounter them; I ask all of you to do this unfailingly each day. No one should think that this invitation is not meant for him or her, since “no one is excluded from the joy brought by the Lord”.[1] The Lord does not disappoint those who take this risk; whenever we take a step towards Jesus, we come to realize that he is already there, waiting for us with open arms. Now is the time to say to Jesus: “Lord, I have let myself be deceived; in a thousand ways I have shunned your love, yet here I am once more, to renew my covenant with you. I need you. Save me once again, Lord, take me once more into your redeeming embrace”. How good it feels to come back to him whenever we are lost! Let me say this once more: God never tires of forgiving us; we are the ones who tire of seeking his mercy. Christ, who told us to forgive one another “seventy times seven” (Mt 18:22) has given us his example: he has forgiven us seventy times seven. Time and time again he bears us on his shoulders. No one can strip us of the dignity bestowed upon us by this boundless and unfailing love. With a tenderness which never disappoints, but is always capable of restoring our joy, he makes it possible for us to lift up our heads and to start anew. Let us not flee from the resurrection of Jesus, let us never give up, come what will. May nothing inspire more than his life, which impels us onwards!"<ref>http://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/apost_exhortations/documents/papa-francesco_esortazione-ap_20131124_evangelii-gaudium.html</ref>

== Political and Scientific Views ==
Pope Francis is the most [[liberal]] pope in history, his progressive views about multiple issues were mainly supposed by Leftists around the globe. However, he has still taken some more conservative positions, such as on abortion.

=== Abortion and euthanasia ===

Pope Francis has spoken out against [[abortion]].<ref>Williams, Thomas D. (October 15, 2017). [https://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2017/10/15/pope-francis-safeguard-human-life-especially-in-the-mothers-womb/ Pope Francis: Safeguard Human Life ‘Especially in the Mother’s Womb’]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved October 15, 2017.</ref><ref>Williams, Thomas D. (December 28, 2017). [https://www.breitbart.com/national-security/2017/12/28/pope-francis-prays-for-end-to-abortion-on-feast-of-holy-innocents/ Pope Francis Prays for End to Abortion on Feast of ‘Holy Innocents’]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved December 28, 2017.</ref> However, he played a key role in helping a [[euthanasia]] law pass in Italy,<ref>McLean, Dorothy Cummings (December 19, 2017). [https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/pope-francis-credited-with-helping-euthanasia-law-pass-in-italy Pope Francis credited with helping euthanasia law pass in Italy]. ''LifeSiteNews''. Retrieved December 20, 2017.</ref> and he has frequently met with pro-abortion individuals despite refusing to meet with certain other figures because of their hardline immigration stances.<ref>Hoffman, Matthew Cullinan (April 1, 2019). [https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/pope-francis-refuses-to-meet-with-italian-minister-because-of-tough-stand-on-immigration-sources Pope Francis refuses to meet with Italian minister because of tough stand on immigration: reports]. ''LifeSiteNews''. Retrieved April 1, 2019.</ref> The Vatican under Pope Francis choose to abandon the November 2019 Nairobi [[United Nations|UN]] meeting due to its anti-life stance but others complained that he should have been more vocal in his opposition.<ref>Mosher, Steven (November 13, 2019). [https://www.lifesitenews.com/blogs/vatican-quietly-stands-by-as-un-once-again-vigorously-pushes-abortion-population-control Vatican quietly stands by as UN once again vigorously pushes abortion, population control]. ''LifeSiteNews''. Retrieved November 14, 2019.</ref>

=== Capital punishment ===

Pope Francis changed the catechism to oppose [[capital punishment]] in all cases, despite a long history of the Roman Catholic church supporting it in certain cases,<ref>Williams, Thomas D. (August 2, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/national-security/2018/08/02/pope-francis-amends-catechism-declares-capital-punishment-inadmissible/ Pope Francis Amends Catechism, Declares Capital Punishment ‘Inadmissible’]. ''Breitbart News'' Retrieved August 2, 2018.</ref><ref>Kwasniewski, Peter (August 2, 2018). [https://www.lifesitenews.com/blogs/pope-francis-change-to-catechism-contradicts-natural-law-and-the-deposit-of Pope’s change to Catechism contradicts natural law and the deposit of Faith]. ''LifeSiteNews''. Retrieved August 2, 2018.</ref> but in agreement with the teachings of former pope [[John Paul II]].<ref>[https://www.ncronline.org/news/opinion/distinctly-catholic/death-penalty-change-francis-builds-john-paul-iis-teaching With death penalty change, Francis builds on John Paul II's teaching]</ref> The old catechism of 1992 stated: "Assuming that the guilty party's identity and responsibility have been fully determined, the traditional teaching of the Church does not exclude recourse to the death penalty, if this is the only possible way of effectively defending human lives against the unjust aggressor" and that already practically prohibited the endorsement of its application by the Roman Catholic church.<ref>Proof: It is shown by multiple cases where DNA analysis proved the innocence of people on death row that even the condition ''fully determined'' cannot be fulfilled. And if the second condition were fulfilled that would be a shame to the system of any developed country: A country must have a stable system where killers cannot get out of prison prematurely (or at all when it's a life sentence) - unless their verdict is rightfully overturned.</ref>

[[Saint Augustine]] supported [[capital punishment]], [[Saint Thomas Aquinas]] supported it. Jesus was [[Crucifixion|crucified]] alongside two rebels (''gospel according to [[gospel of Mark|Mark]] and [[gospel of Matthew|Matthew]]''), and according to the ''gospel according to [[gospel of Luke|Luke]]'' one of them said that the death penalty for them as criminals was deserved as opposed to the unjust treatment of Jesus. It should also be noted that two American Governors who are devout Catholics -- [[Florida]] Governor [[Ron DeSantis]] and [[Texas]] Governor [[Greg Abbott]] -- are strong supporters of capital punishment.

=== Climate change ===

Pope Francis believes in the existence of human-caused [[Global warming|climate change]]<ref>Williams, Thomas D. (January 8, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/national-security/2018/01/08/pope-francis-global-warming-is-consequence-of-human-activity/ Pope Francis: Global Warming Is ‘Consequence of Human Activity’]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved January 8, 2018.</ref> and has made that issue one of his strongest-held positions. Francis believes that humans face a "climate emergency" and that skepticism of human-caused climate change is "perverse."<ref>Williams, Thomas D. (November 16, 2017). [https://www.breitbart.com/london/2017/11/16/pope-francis-climate-change-skepticism-is-perverse/ Pope Francis: Climate Change Skepticism Is ‘Perverse’]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved November 16, 2017.</ref>

=== Conscientious objection to same-sex marriage ===

Pope Francis has stated, in regard to the political case of Kim Davis, that a person should have the [[Human rights|right]] to refuse to carry out a duty, if it violates the person's [[Conscientious objector|conscience]].<ref name="kimdavis">[https://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/pope-francis-visits-america/pope-francis-i-understand-anger-catholic-church-sex-abuse-victims-n434681 NBC News: ''Conscientious objection is a human right, Pope Francis'']</ref><ref name="kimdavis2">[http://time.com/4051727/pope-francis-papal-plane/ Time: ''What Pope Francis thought of the United States'']</ref>

=== Evolution and Big Bang ===

Pope Francis recently declared [[evolution]] and [[Big Bang theory]] to be right and that God isn't "a magician with a magic wand."

Speaking at the Pontifical Academy of Sciences, the Pope made comments which experts said put an end to the “[[Pseudoscience|pseudo theories]]” of [[creationism]] and [[intelligent design]] that some argue were encouraged by his predecessor, Benedict XVI.<ref name="magicwand">[http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/pope-francis-declares-evolution-and-big-bang-theory-are-right-and-god-isnt-a-magician-with-a-magic-wand-9822514.html Independent: ''Evolution and Big Bang Theory are right, and God isn't a magician with a magic wand'']</ref>

===Hell===
In March 2018, Pope Francis gave an interview which drew large outrage after he reportedly denied the existence of [[Hell]]. The Vatican did not deny those claims when questioned.<ref>Williams, Thomas D. (March 30, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/national-security/2018/03/30/vatican-refuses-disavow-popes-denial-hell/ Vatican Refuses to Disavow Pope’s Alleged Denial of Hell]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved March 31, 2018.</ref>

=== Homosexuality ===
Pope Francis believes there is harm posed by the [[homosexuality]] and has even acknowledged the presence of a "[[gay lobby]]" in the [[Vatican]] that he seemed to suggest operated from corrupt motives.<ref name="vaticansgaylobby">[https://www.theamericanconservative.com/articles/what-pope-francis-meant-by-the-vaticans-gay-lobby The American Conservative: ''Pope Francis and the Vatican's 'gay lobby'''], [[Philip Giraldi]], 18 June 2013. theamericanconservative.com </ref>

Cardinal Bergoglio, now Pope Francis, has been an outspoken critic of [[homosexual]] adoption of children, explaining that it is [[Discrimination|discriminatory]] against the children.<ref name="childrensrights">[http://au.news.yahoo.com/latest/a/-/latest/16363162/who-is-jorge-bergoglio Yahoo News, Australia: ''Children's rights, Pope Francis'']</ref> Pope Francis is also strongly [[pro-life]], and has referred [[abortion]] as the "culture of death."

<blockquote>
Among his teachings and stands, he strongly affirms church teaching on the intrinsic immorality of homosexual practices, though he teaches the importance of respecting homosexual persons. He strongly opposed legislation introduced in 2010 by the Argentine Government to give legal equivalency between true marriage and homosexual partners.<ref name="newsconsortium">[http://www.catholic.org/hf/faith/story.php?id=50111 Catholic Online: ''NEW POPE: Who is this man named Bergoglio?'']</ref>
</blockquote>

In 2017, Pope Francis asked Italian Education Minister Valeria Fedeli, a strong supporter of LGBT ideology and "gender theory" and someone opposed by pro-family organizations, to write the preface of a book he was writing on education.<ref>Williams, Thomas D. (October 2, 2017). [https://www.breitbart.com/national-security/2017/10/02/popes-new-book-features-preface-by-gender-theory-activist/ Pope’s New Book Features Preface by Gender Theory Activist]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved October 3, 2017.</ref> However, Pope Francis has otherwise opposed transgender ideology.<ref>Williams, Thomas D. (October 5, 2017). [https://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2017/10/05/pope-francis-decries-unisex-utopia-of-trangenderism/ Pope Francis Decries ‘Unisex Utopia’ of Trangenderism]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved October 5, 2017.</ref>

=== Immigration, globalism, and nationalism ===

Pope Francis supports [[globalist]] and very liberal immigration policies,<ref>Multiple references:
*Williams, Thomas D. (September 28, 2017). [https://www.breitbart.com/london/2017/09/28/vatican-launches-two-year-campaign-to-provoke-a-shift-in-thinking-on-immigration/ Vatican Launches Two-Year Campaign to Provoke a ‘Shift in Thinking’ on Immigration]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved October 15, 2017.
*Williams, Thomas D. (September 27, 2017). [https://www.breitbart.com/london/2017/09/27/pope-francis-jesus-christ-himself-asks-us-to-welcome-migrants-with-arms-wide-open/ Pope Francis: Jesus Christ Himself Asks Us to Welcome Migrants ‘With Arms Wide Open’]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved October 15, 2017.
*Williams, Thomas D. (January 16, 2019). [https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2019/01/16/analyst-popes-sagging-popularity-signals-fading-trust-in-globalism/ Analyst: Pope’s Sagging Popularity Signals Fading Trust in Globalism]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved January 16, 2019.
*Williams, Thomas D. (December 25, 2019). [https://www.breitbart.com/immigration/2019/12/25/pope-francis-offers-triple-shout-out-migrants-christmas-blessing/ Pope Francis Offers Triple Shout-Out to Migrants in Christmas Blessing]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved December 25, 2019.
*Miguel, Luis (December 26, 2019). [https://www.thenewamerican.com/culture/faith-and-morals/item/34452-on-christmas-pope-francis-condemns-walls-detainment-camps On Christmas, Pope Francis Condemns Walls and “Detainment Camps”]. ''The New American''. Retrieved December 26, 2019.</ref> and he has criticized those who support lower immigration levels,<ref>Williams, Thomas D. (September 30, 2017). [https://www.breitbart.com/london/2017/09/30/pope-francis-unease-mass-migration-innate-fear-foreigner/ Pope Francis: Unease with Mass Migration Due to ‘Innate Fear of the Foreigner’]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved October 15, 2017.</ref> such as by claiming that concerns for cultural identity are not legitimate arguments for lower immigration.<ref>Williams, Thomas D. (September 22, 2017). [https://www.breitbart.com/london/2017/09/22/pope-francis-says-concern-for-cultural-identity-doesnt-justify-opposition-to-mass-migration/ Pope Francis Says Concern for ‘Cultural Identity’ Doesn’t Justify Opposition to Mass Migration]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved October 15, 2017.</ref>

Pope Francis has stated that people should rethink "the figure and the role of the nation-state" due to globalism.<ref>Williams, Thomas D. (October 20, 2017). [https://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2017/10/20/pope-francis-humanity-must-rethink-role-of-nation-state-in-globalized-world/ Pope Francis: Humanity Must ‘Rethink’ Role of Nation-State in Globalized World]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved October 20, 2017.</ref>

=== Church sexual abuse of children ===

On September 27, 2015, Pope Francis met with victims of [[Sexual assault|sexual abuse]] by [[clergy]]men of the [[Roman Catholic Church|Church]]. He apologized on their behalf, and promised to hold those responsible accountable.<ref name="phillyfinalmass">[https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2015/09/27/pope-francis-wraps-up-us-visit-philadelphia/72923820 USA Today: ''Hundreds of thousands flood Philly for Pope Francis' final Mass'']</ref>

=== Persecution and human rights ===

Pope Francis has spoken out against violence of minorities in the Middle-East,<ref name="persecutingminorities">[https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/aug/10/pope-francis-iraq-isis-islamic-state-religious-minorities-violence The Guardian: ''Isis violence against minorities in Iraq must be stopped, Pope Francis'']</ref> including that of Christians, and, contrary to the typical Catholic views, has endorsed the use of force, if necessary, to accomplish this goal.<ref name="persecutionforceifnecessary">[https://www.businessinsider.com/pope-francis-endorses-use-of-force-against-isis-in-iraq-2014-8?IR=T Business Insider: ''Pope Francis Endorses Use Of Force Against ISIS In Iraq'']</ref>

His holiness remains an adamant supporter of [[Social Justice]]. His 2009 speech, titled Las deudas sociales de nuestro tiempo, or The Social Debts of our Time, lays out his views on the world's inequality, between rich and poor, especially in [[Argentina]]. He further rebuked the wealthy, claiming that "You ''[the wealthy]'' avoid taking into account the poor. We have no right to duck down, to lower the arms carried by those in despair. We must reclaim the memory of our country who has a mother, recover the memory of our Mother."

=== Palestine and Israel ===
{{See also|List of States which recognize Palestine as an independent state.}}
The Holy See signed a treaty that included a provision that recognized [[State of Palestine|Palestine]] as a state in 2015.<ref name="recognizepalestine">[https://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/14/world/middleeast/vatican-to-recognize-palestinian-state-in-new-treaty.html New York Times: ''Vatican to recognize Palestinian State in new treaty'']</ref> He called [[Palestinian Authority]] leader [[Mahmoud Abbas]] a “man of peace” and in May 2015 he even told him: “I have thought of you: that you could be an angel of peace.”<ref>[https://www.frontpagemag.com/fpm/257195/pope-and-palestinians-william-kilpatrick THE POPE AND THE PALESTINIANS]. ''FrontpageMag''. May 19, 2015. Retrieved August 31, 2018.</ref>

=== Communism and Christianity ===

In November 2016 Pope Francis stated that "It has been said many times and my response has always been that, if anything, it is the communists who think like Christians."<ref>http://www.onepeterfive.com/pope-communists-think-like-christians/</ref><ref>https://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-33024951</ref>

A new book by George Neumayr in May 2017, entitled “The Political Pope,” documents the extensive [[communist]] influence on Pope Francis as a young man in [[Argentina]].<ref>https://spectator.org/pope-franciss-communist-mentor/</ref>

===Russia-Ukraine war===
[[File:Pope Francis on Ukrainian Nazi kill list.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Pope Francis listing on the Ukrainian Nazi kill list.]]
According to the ''[[Daily Beast]]'', Pope Francis works for [[Vladimir Putin]]. The pontiff said that [[NATO]] started war the [[Russia-Ukraine war]] by ‘barking at Putin’s door’.<ref>https://www.thedailybeast.com/pope-francis-says-nato-started-war-in-ukraine-by-barking-at-putins-door</ref> The ''Beast'' labeled the pope a '[[conspiracy theorist]]' when in fact the historical record shows that NATO violated agreements with [[Russian]] leaders at the conclusion of the [[Cold War]] not expand eastward beyond the former state of [[East Germany]]. Francis stated that the war is nothing more than a giant opportunity for a “trade in arms” and that it is still ongoing because of the constant shuttling of weapons to [[Ukraine]]:
{{quotebox-float|"The clear thing is that weapons are being tested there. The Russians now know that tanks are of little use and are thinking of other things. This is why wars are waged: to test the weapons we have produced. Few people are fighting this trade, but more should be done,"}}
and questioned "whether it is right to supply the Ukrainians." The Pope added, "In Ukraine, it seems that it was others who created the conflict." On June 14, 2022 Pope Francis told a group of editors of [[Jesuit]] magazines, "World War 3 has already been declared," according to the Italian newspaper ''La Stampa''.<ref>https://www.americamagazine.org/politics-society/2022/06/14/pope-francis-war-ukraine-nato-243153</ref>

Speaking to the 10th All-Russian Catholic Youth Assembly in a video address in late August 2023 Pope Francis said
{{quotebox-float|“Never forget your heritage...You are the descendants of great Russia: the great Russia of saints, rulers, the great Russia of Peter I, Catherine II, that empire – educated, great culture and great humanity...Never give up on this heritage...You are descendants of the great Mother Russia, step forward with it...And thank you – thank you for your way of being, for your way of being Russian”.}}
Advisor to the [[fascist]] regime of Ukrainian dictator [[Volodymyr Zelensky]], [[Mykhailo Podoliak]] blasted the speech as "[[imperialist]] [[propaganda]]", [[CNN]] reported.<ref>https://www.cnn.com/2023/08/29/europe/pope-francis-russia-ukraine-intl-hnk/index.html</ref> Days later, Pope Francis was added to the official Ukrainian Ministry of the Interior's [[Myrotvorets]], or "Nazi kill list",<ref>https://twitter.com/jacksonhinklle/status/1696910826953642153</ref> a joint effort with [[NATO]] and the U.S. taxpayer funded [[CIA]].<ref>https://www.sott.net/article/480725-Independent-Ukrainian-kill-list-actually-run-by-Kiev-backed-by-Washington</ref>

== See also ==

* [[Jesus Christ]]
* [[Catholicism]]
* [[Vatican]]

== References ==

<references/>

{{DEFAULTSORT:Francis}}
[[Category:Current Heads of State]]
[[Category:Catholic Church]]
[[Category:Argentine People]]