This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2013, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
I am not a fan of religion and especially of the Catholic Church, but the new Pope Francis, through his example and now his words, has inserted a breath of fresh air into the world that could be the beginning of a religious renaissance.
His recent proclamation entitled "Apostolic Exhortation" is remarkable in its depth and breadth, its intellect, its realistic vision of the future and the remedies required to stop the cycle of decline the world is facing.
I encourage everyone to read it in its entirety. Yes, it will take a couple of hours to read and a couple of days to digest, and yes, it is easily found on the Internet, and yes, it is invigorating to the soul and renews my hope that religion can yet redeem itself and become a force for good.
Joe Watts
Murray