Slovak Catholic Church 'Did Not Embrace' Pope Francis's Vision, Says Former Dissident

Former Slovak dissident František Mikloško criticized the Slovak Catholic Church for failing to fully embrace Pope Francis's revolutionary approach to Christianity during the pontiff's lifetime. Speaking in a video podcast, Mikloško praised Francis's transformative vision, which he said was shaped by the pope's direct experience working in Argentina's slums. The former pontiff developed his compassionate worldview through face-to-face encounters with society's most marginalized people, including the poor, criminals, and prostitutes, rather than observing from academic distance. Mikloško highlighted Francis's famous question "Who am I to judge?" as emblematic of a revolutionary Christian perspective that emphasized Christ's ultimate judgment while showing mercy to all people regardless of their circumstances.