A Greek Orthodox priest has protested against Pope Francis’ visit to Greece as he stood outside the Orthodox Archbishopric in Athens and shouted “Pope, you are a heretic.”
The Greek Orthodox priest, who was dressed in black robe and a hat and had a long white beard, was immediately taken by the police after protesting the Pope’s visit to Athens, Daily Mail reported.
NEW - Greek Orthodox priest shouted "Pope, you are a heretic" as Francis was entering the Archbishopric in Athens.pic.twitter.com/0KGF1TXuf6
— Disclose.tv (@disclosetv) December 4, 2021
Social media users split over the video which went viral super quick. Some supported him saying: “Hero! A true priest.” Another commented: “I saw this, and realized it's evidence that Greek people are not afraid to speak their minds.”
Others accused the Greek Orthodox priest of being motivated by old differences between the Eastern and Western churches. A Twitter user wondered if the priest said that “because the Pope isn’t Orthodox or because he doesn’t like Francis specifically?”
He probably says that for the wrong reasons. The old differences. Things like divorce and remarriage as well as contraception the Eastern Orthodox already allow. These are the things he wouldn’t call the Pope a heretic for.
— Wandile (@Wandi_Star) December 4, 2021
Another comment said that this isn’t the first time people in Greece hold a protest during a Pope’s visit. In 2001, John Paul II faced a similar reaction during his visit to Greece.
And one wondered what would happen if the same situation happened in America?”
John Paul II was protested similarly during his visit to Greece in 2001, so historical context would say it's a dislike of the pope in general, and not specific to Francis.
— Hannah Brockhaus (@HannahBrockhaus) December 4, 2021
Pope Francis is currently on a three-day visit to Greece with hopes to bring the Eastern and Western churches closer together.
'I feel the need to ask anew for the forgiveness of God and of our brothers and sisters for the mistakes committed by many Catholics,' The Pope stated during Greece’s visit.
A Greek priests to the pope- you are a heretic.... pic.twitter.com/4bGWe1MEU9
— Mr ROBOT (@bledi9999) December 4, 2021
Prior to his Greece’s visit, Pope Francis stopped in Cyprus where he was likely to ask 50 migrants to move to Italy to give them the opportunity of a new life.
About Pope Francis:
Pope Francis, born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, has been the head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of the Vatican City State since 2013. Francis is the first pope to be a member of the Society of Jesus and the first pope from outside Europe since Gregory III.
