Similarities Between Transcendentalism And Pope Francis

The transcendentalists, Emerson and Thoreau, surfaced during pre-Civil War America. Interestingly, their philosophies continue to have relevance through contemporary icons. One icon is the current leader of the catechism, Pope Francis. In 2013, Jorge Mario Bergoglio became the 266th pope of the Roman Catholic Church, becoming Pope Francis. He is the first pope from the Americas ("Pope Francis"). He is referred to as the “Energizer Bunny Pope”, not only because he is 30 years younger than previous pope, but because he is leading the church in taking progressive views, as a result, bringing a fresh “energizing” transformation to Catholicism. The ideals of challenging the status quo and living simple, naturalistic lives resonated with the Transcendentalists

in the mid eighteen hundreds, and continue to resignate today with Pope Francis.
To begin, Pope Francis and the transcendentalists are both nonconformists. Pope Francis has proved he’s quite the unorthodox Pope, going against 2,000 years of tradition. Catholicism is a conservative religion and rigid in its aged beliefs. Both the transcendentalists and Pope Francis go against tradition, expressing how blindly following the past generation’s (or older) beliefs is detrimental to progressing society. They also demonstrate how it is never too late to acknowledge what one wants to believe in . One way the Pope has achieved this is by taking a softer approach than some of his predecessors on sexual and reproductive issues. He has said that the church should concentrate less on same-sex marriage, contraception and abortion ("The Pope and the Birth Control Ban"). Likewise, in Self Reliance Emerson remarks, “Speak what you think now in hard words, and to-morrow speak what to-morrow thinks in hard words again, though it contradict every thing you said to-day”. For years sexual and reproductive issues have been taboo in the church. The Pope follows Emerson’s thoughts by altering his and the church’s stance on these issues. Both important figures demonstrate it is normal, and encouraged, to contradict oneself if the reader switches opinions by gaining knowledge on such topics. Furthermore, Francis has pushed to make it easier for Catholic couples to get an annulment of their marriage. CNN reports, “Annulments would allow these couples to continue to participate fully in church life if they remarry, including taking the sacrament of Communion”. While they share the basic principles of nonconformity, the transcendentalists and Pope Francis go about advocating their beliefs differently. For example, when asked about the recent protests by young people on the streets of Brazil, the Pope replies with a lighter tone, "The young person is essentially a non-conformist, and this is very beautiful” (News, BBC). Meanwhile in Self Reliance Emerson writes, “Whoso would be a man must be a nonconformist”. Emerson has more of an aggressive, pressuring method by questioning an individual’s manliness, which is the ultimate ego dig. Granted their opposing techniques, both deliver the same effect. In Thoreau’s Walden he writes, “Easily and insensibly we fall into a particular route” “How worn and dusty, then, must be the Highways of the world, how deep the ruts of tradition and conformity!” “The old laws be expanded, and interpreted in his favor in a more liberal sense. . .”. Similarly, the Pope promotes increased common sense and less unthinking following of rules. He says this with,"By thinking that everything is black and white, we sometimes close off the way of grace and growth" ("Pope to Church: Accept Gays, Divorced Catholics" ). With this in mind, it contradicts how many Catholics follow their religion as strict constructionists “by the book”. The Pope’s nonconformity makes followers reflect about how they interpret the bible, and if they are good Christians. Thoreau, Emerson, and Pope Francis challenge aged laws and cultural customs, pleading for people to alter them, making them increasingly relevant to today’s conditions. These prominent men argue that norms from the past don’t necessarily have to be followed in the present.
Not only are Pope Francis and the transcendentalists nonconformists, but they are both non-materialists, living non extravagantly and urging simplicity. For instance, “Pope Francis will be the first pope in more than 100 years to not reside in the Apostolic Palace when he decided to live in a suite in the Vatican guesthouse where he has been since the beginning of the conclave that elected him,” said Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, Vatican spokesman. “He is experimenting with this type of living arrangement, which is simple,” but allows him “to live in community with others”("Pope Francis Won't Be Moving to the Papal Apartments"). The Pope carries his own travel bags, as well as eats daily among the Vatican staff in the cafeteria, allowing him to be closer to the community. In effect, this doesn’t put the Pope on a high pedestal, which in the past was the image that surrounded this religious figure. His basic living approach makes him more relatable, in return having more civilians identify with his other messages, ultimately gaining more followers. In a like matter, the Pope’s basic living conditions compare to Thoreau’s living environment near Walden Pond. In Walden, Thoreau describes how he lived with the bare essentials, “-my house was not finished for winter, but was merely a defense against the rain”. In addition, when asked about his simple lifestyle and use of a small car, [the Pope] said, “ It wasn't a good example when a priest had the latest model of a car or a top brand” (News, BBC). Pope Francis reiterates simplicity, “If money and material things become the center of our lives, they seize us and make us slaves”( "8 Quotes From Pope Francis That Prove He's A Millennial At Heart"). This idea is also seen in Walden when the transcendentalist urges simplicity, “-cluttered with furniture and tripped up by its own traps, ruined by luxury and heedless expense”. Thoreau questions, “What's the use of a house if you haven't got a tolerable planet to put it on?”(Alter). Their ideas contradict the typical American flawed notion of working long hours only to purchase big houses and fancy cars. Society has lost sight of what is truly important: human interactions and experiences among nature. The transcendentalists emphasized this principle of non materialism just as the U.S. was industrializing. Today, the U.S. is an even more fast paced industrialized nation, facing the same issue of what is truly important. Both stress the unimportance of intangible items and eliminating unnecessary excess. These philosophies draw people closer to their communities and to nature.
An additional similarity between the transcendentalists and Pope Francis is that they are both environmentalists.

While the Pope emphasizes conservation is a noble calling, Emerson and Thoreau presume it is a human issue, however both have the same message. Vatican Radio reported that Francis reflected on the creation of the universe passage in the Book of Genesis,” “In the ‘first creation’ we must respond with the responsibility that the Lord gives us: ‘The earth is yours, take it forward; let it grow.’ Even for us there is a responsibility to nurture the Earth, to nurture Creation, to keep it and make it grow according to its laws. . .” he said ("Pope: Conservation Not Going 'green,' but Being Christian"). This quote corresponds with a quote from Walden, “Heaven is under our feet is well as over our heads”. Thoreau and Pope Francis comment how nature is spiritual, and therefore society should take care of it. The Pope uses his worldwide, 1.2 billion Catholic platform ("Pope Francis’s Encyclical on the Environment") to make a change in saving and preserving the planet. He does this via speaking on behalf of the Amazon basin, calling for “respect and protection of the entire creation which God has entrusted to man”. This creation, he said, should not “be indiscriminately exploited, but rather made into a garden.” (Weiss). Let alone he released Laudato Si (“Praised Be”), an encyclical on climate and justice to enter into dialogue with all people about our common home. ("Pope Francis’s Encyclical on the Environment"). The Pope is upfront that climate change is caused by humans and is a significant threat ("Pope Francis’s Encyclical on the Environment"). He says, "We received this world as an inheritance from past generations, but also as a loan from future generations, to whom we will have to return it!” ("Nature Never Forgives: 7 of Pope Francis's Greenest Quotes"). Pope Francis calls for reform because it is a Christian duty, accentuating this principle through,

“God always forgives, we men forgive sometimes, but nature never forgives. If you give her a slap, she will give you one. I believe that we have exploited nature too much” ("Nature Never Forgives: 7 of Pope Francis's Greenest Quotes"). Imagine, if all of the Pope’s followers took into consideration his views on certain issues, such as climate change, reform would occur and society could preserve the Earth. Additionally, in Self Reliance Emerson remarks, “He cannot be happy and strong until he too lives with nature in the present”. His ideas convey that happiness is found in the outdoors. Most people who go on a hike or kayak take pleasure from those activities, and often seem to experience a spiritual connection. Both the Pope and the transcendentalists stress the importance of the environment whether it’s for a Christian duty, happiness, or preserving it for future generations.
The Pope, as well as Emerson and Thoreau appeal to a large audience. Emerson and Thoreau entice the average man, while the Pope appeals to millennials and followers of Catholicism. Subsequently, because these men appeal to many, they gain followers, but most importantly get people to see themselves as individuals and not only learn from history, but make their own history. They articulate to not stay rooted in tradition. Perhaps, the Pope is so influential because he weaves in his causes into religion. In significance, the transcendentalists’ and Pope Francis’ powerful words fuel the fire for actions. Their approach to spreading these principles stir emotion in the reader, making them want to dramatically change their lives. Both icons produce that “Willow Creek stand up and aha moment”. The way they articulate their shared revolutionary philosophies of non conformity, non materialism, and environmentalism, have a profound impact on society. Although, expressed eras apart, Pope Francis and the transcendentalists not only have similar messages, but also similar affects on society.