As I say, I am reasonably sure that Pope Francis attained the unio mentalis during his years as a Jesuit.
Next, because the uroboros symbol is based on snake imagery, I want to mention that Jung says that "the transformation of the feminine element [in the human psyche] from a serpent into a queen" signals the royal marriage of the Queen archetype with the transformed King archetype in the psyche (page 380). The royal marriage is also known as the hierosgamos in the psyche. The hierosgamos in the psyche represents the gateway as it were to experiencing and living the unio mundus, or unio mystica.
Next, because Pope Francis regularly advocates dialogue, I want to point out here that the optimal form of dialogue involves what Martin Buber refers to as I-Thou communication.
I would characterize I-Thou communication as a mystical experience. No doubt persons who are capable of having the mystical experience of I-Thou communication are experiencing and living the unio mystica, or unio mundus.
Finally, I want to discuss Jung's repeated references to the experience of inner psychological chaos. No doubt the experience of inner psychological chaos primes people to over-react to external stimuli and catastrophize. Even though catastrophizing is not limited to the American Catholic right, the American Catholic right tends to catastrophize a lot. Perhaps they are experiencing inner psychological chaos. Jung actually describes different kinds of inner chaos. At times, according to him, inner chaos simply goes with larger psychological processes involved in psychological transformation. However that may be, the American Catholic right seem to be stuck in repeating cycle of catastrophizing -- instead of undergoing psychological transformation and moving away from catastrophizing.
Now, over at the website of The New Republic, Elizabeth Stoker Bruenig has published a thoughtful piece titled "Francis Agonistes" (dated March 1, 2015). She portrays Pope Francis as facing the vociferous opposition of the American Catholic right. Fortunately for Pope Francis, he does not live in the United States. As a result, he probably does not pay much attention to the American Catholic right.
However, Pope Francis likes to urge people to engage in dialogue. No doubt he will be expected to set an example by engaging in dialogue -- and lead by example.
No doubt he plans to lead by example by issuing his announced encyclical about climate change.
No doubt the American Catholic right will be eager to engage in dialogue with him about climate change.
But Francis Agonistes may be ready to take on the dragon, figuratively speaking of course, that the American Catholic right represents.
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