(DailyVantage.com) – Pope Francis has urged pastors and the Church to move beyond a “Eurocentric” view of Christianity, highlighting the vibrant state of the faith outside the Western world. Reflecting on his recent apostolic visit to Asia and Oceania, the pope expressed concern that Christianity is often seen through a European or Western lens, despite the Church’s global reach.
“In thinking of the Church, we are still too Eurocentric, or as they say, ‘Western,’” Pope Francis told the crowd gathered in Saint Peter’s Square during his weekly general audience. He emphasized that the Church is “much bigger than Rome and Europe,” and it is “much more alive” in places like Asia, where vibrant faith communities thrive in the face of challenges.
The pontiff highlighted his experiences in Indonesia, where Christians make up a small minority—around ten percent of the population, with Catholics representing just three percent. Despite these numbers, Francis encountered a “lively, dynamic Church” that lives and spreads the Gospel in a culturally diverse nation that also hosts the world’s largest Muslim population.
He also praised Papua New Guinea, noting the hopeful spirit of its young people who envision a future free from tribal violence, dependency, and ideological or economic colonialism. This optimism, he suggested, contrasts sharply with the stagnation he perceives in the West.
Pope Francis has often expressed disappointment with Europe and the United States, criticizing what he sees as their lack of vitality and their turn toward exclusionary ideologies. He has warned that Europe risks repeating the mistakes of pre-Nazi Germany by embracing new forms of nationalism and sectarianism, which he argues deconstruct rather than build societies.
Europe, he lamented, often seems like a “sterile grandmother”—elderly, stagnant, and disconnected from its past vibrancy. However, he remains hopeful that Europe can rejuvenate itself and “go back to being a mother.”
The pope has also criticized conservative Catholics in the United States for their “reactionary attitude” and resistance to change. In 2023, he described this mindset as “backwardism,” arguing that these groups cling to ideologies instead of allowing the doctrine to develop and bear fruit. He specifically called out U.S.-based Eternal Word Television Network (EWTN) for its consistent criticism of him, labeling such attacks as “the work of the devil.”
Francis has not shied away from criticizing what he perceives as American responsibility for global issues, such as the climate crisis. Despite data showing the U.S. has some of the cleanest air globally, he pointed to high emissions per capita in the United States compared to other nations, calling for a shift away from the “irresponsible lifestyle” associated with the Western model.
Through these critiques, Pope Francis continues to challenge the Church to look beyond its traditional centers of power, urging a broader and more inclusive vision of Christianity that embraces its global and diverse expressions.
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