It is being widely reported that the Italian Grand Lodge has released a very positive farewell statement after the passing of Pope Francis, entitled, “Francis, the Pope of the Least”. (Reproduced below)
This is, of course, no great surprise considering how closely Bergoglio followed the pattern set down by the Masons in the Alta Vendita almost two hundred years ago: “…a Pope according to our needs…” During his life, Masons regularly thanked Bergoglio for his contribution to their aims. In fact, most of his programme, from Synodality to his new-fangled mortal sins, were completely in line with Masonic principles.
What is a surprise is how few realise that this appreciation is just standard fare for the Masons in regard to the conciliar popes. For example,
- In June 1963, Mexican Freemasons glowingly farewelled Pope John XXIII 1
- After the death of Paul VI, French and Italian Masons spoke of him favourably 2
- “To us, it is the death of him who made the condemnation of Clement XII and of his successors fall. That is, it is the first time – in the history of modern Freemasonry – that the Head of the greatest Western religion dies not in a state of hostility with the Freemasons.”
- During his life, John Paul II was granted an award for his dedication to promoting human fraternity by Portuguese Masons – he declined it, however.3
- Australian Freemasons also honoured John Paul II for his leadership qualities4:
- “John Paul II’s most outstanding leadership quality was his ability to create real presence in those who looked to him. The capacity for a leader to make those who follow them believe that the person to whom they aspire can understand, listen and comfort them in a manner that is enriching; is a quality not to be underestimated.” (Note the reference to the Real Presence – remember Masons prize mocking God above all!)
- Sometimes the praise went in the other direction, for example when John Paul I praised a Mason, who was also known to be a satanist! (Read the article here.)
Now for the latest praise of a post-conciliar Pope by the Masons: a statement on the death of Francis from the Grand Lodge of Italy. The Mason’s mention of Bergoglio’s “path free from dogmas” is perhaps ironic given how dogmatic he was in regard to eliminating tradition.
Francis the Pope of the least
The Grand Lodge of Italy of the ALAM joins the universal condolences for the disappearance of Pope Francis, a pastor who, with his magisterium and his life, has embodied the values of brotherhood, humility and the search for planetary humanism .
The Grand Lodge of Italy of the Ancients, Free, Accepted Masons joins the universal condolences for the passing of Pope Francis, a shepherd who, with his magisterium and his life, embodied the values of brotherhood, of humility and of the search for a planetary humanism. Coming from the “end of the world”, Jorge Mario Bergoglio has been able to change the Church, reporting the revolutionary teaching of St. Francis of Assisi to the topicality of history.
In this moment of mourning, our Communion intends to pay homage to the vision of Pope Francis, whose work is characterized by a profound resonance with the principles of Freemasonry: the centrality of the person, respect for the dignity of each individual, the construction of a community of solidarity, the pursuit of the common good. His encyclical Brothers all represents a manifesto. Freedom, Equality and Brotherhood it is the triple value asset of Freemasonry. Overcome divisions, ideologies, unique thinking to recognize the richness of differences and build a humanity united in diversity, this was ardently wanted by Francis, the same design pursued by the Grand Lodge of Italy.
Pope Francis has been able to combine faith and reason, complementary dimensions of human experience, renewing the Anselmian principle of “credo ut intelligam” (I believe so that I may understand). A faith capable of questioning itself, of welcoming doubt and of dialoguing, which we also find in the Masonic initiatory method, founded on a path free from dogmas, substantiated by incessant search for truth.
Francis’ pontificate placed in the center the last, together with the planet care and a an ethics of development based on human dignity. This too is found in the Masonic construction of the “Inner temple”, based on tolerance, solidarity and resistance against hatred and ignorance, and finds a profound correspondence in the pastoral care of Bergoglio, which with his “sweet revolution”, showed that humility and dialogue are instruments of authentic strength. In the wake of the “Francesco Economy ” and the vision of one “common home ”, there Masonry supports the commitment to a sustainable, fair and supportive future.
In this time crossed by serious critical issues, the Grand Lodge of Italy finds itself in Pope Francis’ appeal for a “planetary consciousness”, which recognizes humanity as one community of destiny. We honor his memory by continuing to work for an ethics of the limited, for respect for the other and for the construction of a temple based on solidarity, freedom of thought and universal brotherhood.
Luciano Romoli
Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Italy of the A.L.A.M.
Rome, April 22, 2025
- https://www.traditioninaction.org/ProgressivistDoc/A_145_J23-Masons.html ↩︎
- https://www.fisheaters.com/srpdf/xxPaul_VI.._beatified_english.pdf ↩︎
- https://www.traditioninaction.org/ProgressivistDoc/A_072_JPII_Masonry.htm ↩︎
- https://www.freemasonsvic.net.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/SummerJv5_FINAL.pdf ↩︎
Ecclesiastical Freemasonry 