Questions and Answers on Fratelli Tutti

1. Is the Pope proposing to build an immanentist inter-religion that eliminates the specificity of faith?

On the contrary, the Pope sets out to address the concrete problems that this world poses to the very heart of the Christian faith: the transcendence of universal love that leads to the promotion of a real universal fraternity, spurred by the call to become sons and daughters in the Son. Clearly, the light that permeates all of his writing is the Gospel parable of the “Good Samaritan”. (56)

2. According to its title, Fratelli tutti proposes a message only to men, “brothers”. After talking extensively about the importance of women, why hasn’t the Pope made a gesture to address his encyclical letter to both “brothers and sisters”?

“Fratelli tutti” is a literal quotation from Francis of Assisi, who, as the Pope immediately explains: “…addressed his brothers and sisters and proposed to them a way of life marked by the flavour of the Gospel.” (1)

3. The US Presidential elections are less than a month away, in a strongly polarized society. Does the Pope want to say something to Americans in a clear message that is perceived to be anti-Trump?

Obviously the Pope wants to say something to USA citizens with or without elections, as he also wants to say something to Europe, Latin America, Asia, the rest of the Americas and the whole world. Moreover, it is clear that his interlocutor is not a specific person.

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