This news might not appeal to the likes of Bill Barr and Mike Pompeo.

To say nothing of Latin American right-wingers - many of whom belong to or are friendly with Opus.

Back in the '70s and '80s, it was a sure way to obtain promotions and favors in Spain and Latin America. Many of the region's dictatorships (and Franco's) were filled with them.

Even here in the U.S. I've heard of people who've lost prominent posts after refusing to join the group.

It was about time they were reined in somewhat - though I trust Francis keeps his tea under lock and key.

on the US Supreme Court and perhaps how much they have crossed the line while justifying their ideology on corrupted views of "faith"-- their version of Catholicism.

Opus Dei is a secret society and an official arm of the Catholic Church. Its roots are in fascist Spain.

After a few flaps early in his tenure (notably with failin' Palin, you'll recall) Francis has mostly avoided putting an oar in foreign politics - even his native Argentina's.

But then, these far-right Catholics are so entrenched it's hard to say what effect - if any - his calling them out by name would've had.

In Latin America, for example, whenever he has shown any opposition to some conservative offensive or other (usually by alluding to it), RW media hasn't hesitated to turn against him - something unimaginable in the past.

To say nothing of their army of paid Twitter/Facebook trolls!

I think of the penguin in Bloom County. Don't know why. Even Opus One wine makes me think of him.

I love this pope!

When he became Archbishop of Buenos Aires in '98, Opus Dei was still largely running Argentina - though their grip had been loosening since the last dictatorship stepped down in '83.

His becoming Archbishop was seen as something of a defeat for Opus - who had been very close to his last three predecessors (all pro-dictatorship types).

But the real break with Bergoglio came when he became Pope Francis in 2013 - when he and then-President Cristina Kirchner (whom Opus, and right-wingers generally, see as a communist she-devil) created a close alliance.

Ever since, they've been deploying their many media allies in Latin America - and legions of online trolls - against him.

And Francis knows who's behind a lot of it. He also, no doubt, keeps a close eye on his tea.

I did not know this, re Francis.

Always lots of drama in Argentine politics - especially since Perón and (of course) Evita.

And thanks so much to all the posters who expressed opinions without violating our rules. It's much appreciated.

There's too much anti-Catholic bigotry - which even seeps into Democratic forums from time to time (though much less than Repug ones - where Catholics, along with Jews, are often seen as responsible for the "browning" of America).

Any religion, or large groups of people generally, have extremist and/or power-hungry elements.

Which our safe haven rules note.

I was impressed at how well everyone's behaved, and I hoped I will continue to be.

If Catholic clergy would just drop their celibacy rule, they - and the church - would be in a much better place.

Francis himself, a couple of years ago, hinted that that would be his preference (if he dared!).

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/pope-francis-sex-food-divine-pleasure_n_5f5bd9c3c5b67602f6051a6e

Shortage of clergy continues to be a problem.

However, if people think married clergy will insulate the church from child predators, I think they are mistaken. I have had five -- so far -- male acquaintances who turned out to be predators. All were married and four were parents. One was a protestant youth minister, the other far had no clerical connections.