New Pope Video: "Because We Need a Change that Unites Us All"

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Here's the text of the latest Pope Video (by the way, I'm not being snarky by calling it that--the official website for these is called "ThePopeVideo"). The actual video is at he end of the post:

Believers and unbelievers agree that the earth is our common heritage, the fruits of which should benefit everyone. 

However, what is happening in the world we live in? 

The relationship between poverty and the fragility of the planet requires another way of managing the economy and measuring progress, conceiving a new way of living. 

Because we need a change that unites us all. 

Free from the slavery of consumerism. 

This month I make a special request: 

That we may take good care of creation–a gift freely given–cultivating and protecting it for future generations. 

Caring for our common home.

Let's put the most charitable and positive spin on this:

There are no heresies in this video.

There is bad science and economics (but we promised we would be charitable so we'll say no more).

Some of the people associated with The Pope Video project, such as Juan Della Torre and Cristina Miguens, seem to be sincere (if somewhat worldly) Catholics.

It's well-made and in places pretty.

It's short.

Okay, that's the charitable spin. Now let's make the most obvious criticism:

Aside from two ten-second sightings of a guy in a white cassock and the religiously loaded word "creation," there is absolutely nothing here that is Catholic, Christian or even particularly theistic.

Pope Francis is making an appeal for "change." Indeed, more than that, he wants "a change that unites us all." And, apparently, we need it.

Obviously he thinks this is possible. In other words, he believes there are people out there who will change their attitudes or behavior (in regards to the environment or politics or social responsibility or whatever) because of this effort. Indeed, not only does he think this is possible, his use of the word "unite" makes it appear that he thinks it's possible that everyone (or almost everyone) can change in this way.

But if people can change in this way, can't they also change in another way?

You know, they can change their. . . (I'm going to keep this down because we're in polite company here and I don't want to embarrass anyone). Well, you know, their. . . (I want to apologize in advance if this offends anyone). Okay, I'll just say it: can't people just, you know, can't people also change their. . .religion?

I did.

(And I don't change that easily.)

So did my wife. So did many of the (now) Catholics that I know. Many many more Catholics that I know (perhaps close to the majority) "changed" by coming back to the Church that they had once fallen away from.

It happens.

So, here's my recommendation for the March video. Who knows, I might even tweet it to Juan Della Torre.

Cue pictures of Jesus preaching, Jesus at the Last Supper, His crucifixion, Mary and the others at the foot of the cross; pictures of saints, nuns and priests; clips of beautiful churches, shrines, altars and religious art. There can even be mountains and trees.

The Pope then says:

Fellow human beings (or believers and unbelievers, or citizens of the world or whatever), I want to invite you to make a change, a change that will not only do you infinite good but has the potential to unite many of us here on earth. 

If you are a Catholic, I want to invite you to refresh and renew your faith. 

If you are not a Catholic, I want to invite you to become one. Jesus Christ was the greatest man who ever lived. He was also God. Honor Him by joining the church that He founded. 

Come home, children.

At this point, if he wants to soften it a bit and add a touch of humor, he can say,

Hey, what do you expect? I'm the Pope. It's my job to ask.