“He Was Not My Pope” – A Strong Voice About Francis That You Will Not Hear in the Media

Following the death of Pope Francis, many media outlets—including secular and government ones—began portraying him in an almost fairy-tale manner. Instead of an honest assessment, they published moving tributes about a “man of dialogue, humility and reform”. Karol Fjałkowski, a researcher who publishes material on his YouTube channel, calls for something entirely different: honesty. “Let the media not turn mourning into a spectacle or feed people propaganda,” he writes in an extensive study.

In his view, the death of a person—even such an influential one—is a good moment to speak about them with respect. But this does not mean that one must speak about them only positively, nor that it is permissible to depart from the truth. Below we present the full study prepared by Fjałkowski, followed by a summary of its main points.

Media Fairy Tales About the Pope

Many journalists who are capable of sharply criticising the Church on a daily basis—for example, over financial or sexual scandals—suddenly begin presenting the pope as a hero from a family film. They invite only believers and people “friendly towards the Church” to comment, while the tone of the statements becomes sentimental and uncritical.

Karol Fjałkowski does not deny the pope’s importance to some people. He understands that his death may be painful for believers. But he does not understand why emotion is imposed on everyone—and why people are expected to speak about him only positively. For many Poles—especially non-believers—Pope Francis was a distant and incomprehensible figure. He was not their “Holy Father”.

The Pope Was Not as Open as He Is Portrayed

Although Francis was often portrayed as a man who was open and close to the poor and those on the margins, his style of rule was very tough. According to the author, the pope ignored critics, removed conservatives from positions, and appointed to important Church functions only those who thought as he did. The College of Cardinals that will choose his successor consists of more than 80% of his appointees.

It is therefore impossible to say that the pope was a “leader of dialogue”. In reality, he was authoritarian and resistant to criticism. Nor can one claim that he always “united rather than divided”; on the contrary, during his time in office, powerful divisions grew within the Church between conservatives and reformers.

He Preached Poverty, but Without Results

Francis spoke of “a poor Church for the poor”, but Karol Fjałkowski asks: where are the results of these slogans? Has any Polish bishop sold his residence or given up a comfortable life? On the contrary—the Church in Poland still receives millions of złotys from the state budget, while its clergy have high pensions and influence.

Slogans are one thing, and reality another. And if one preaches poverty while continuing to live in luxury, it is difficult to speak of authenticity.

Scandals Swept Under the Carpet

One of the most controversial subjects of Francis’s pontificate was the fight against child sexual abuse in the Church. Many people hoped that this pope would change something. However, the author of the article points out that nothing of the sort happened—at least in Poland. Diocesan curias continue to employ lawyers who defend bishops against accountability, victims are ignored, and scandalous cases are covered up.

What is more, the Vatican introduced a ban on transferring documents to Polish courts and prosecutors’ offices. Victims receive no compensation, and the “penalties” imposed on guilty bishops are symbolic. “This fight is fiction,” Fjałkowski writes.

A Pope of Peace? But What Kind?

Francis was often called the “pope of peace”, but—in the author’s view—his approach to the war in Ukraine was deeply disappointing. The pope called for peace and “the courage of the white flag” instead of clearly supporting Ukraine’s right to defend itself.

According to Fjałkowski, such positions strengthen Russia and weaken the West’s willingness to support Ukraine. He says: “Peace does not mean surrendering to the aggressor, but defeating them. If the world had listened to such appeals during the Second World War, we would now be ruled under Hitler’s boot.”

Religion for Everyone—That Is, for No One?

Francis preached universal brotherhood and dialogue with other religions. In a declaration signed with a Muslim cleric, he wrote that “God wants many religions”. In the author’s view, this is completely contrary to Christian teaching. If God wants everything, then nothing has any meaning. And it no longer makes sense to say that Jesus is “the only way”.

More Honesty, Less Emotion

Karol Fjałkowski appeals to the media:

Do not tell fairy tales about the pope. Do not force the entire society to experience mourning that does not concern everyone. Do not portray Francis as a warm old man who loved everyone and fixed everything—because that is not true.

Respect for the deceased does not have to mean making a saint of him. Everyone has the right to their own opinion, and the media have a duty to tell the truth—even when it is uncomfortable.

Because he was not my pope. And this is not my mourning.