Pope Francis led the Church with the authority and obligation of a co-pilgrim. He became the conscience of the Church.
Saji P Mathew OFM
Long before Pope Francis fell ill and the Catholic world began talking about what
is next and who is next; while Pope Francis was still making waves of change in
the Catholic and non-Catholic world, I heard men of the Church judging him,
saying he needed to be a little more careful, tactful, and diplomatic; take time to
speak and act—meaning to be conservative and moderate like the Church almost
always has been. The pressure on Pope Francis was that he must restrain from
saying things that would make him and the Church look weak, vulnerable, and
human.
I was of the opinion that the authority and influence of a Pope, the vicar of Jesus,
who sits in a pompous cathedra is to be enduring even at the point of embracing
vulnerabilities, and not run away; be comfortable with others and varied
perspectives; face discomfort, sweat, anger; laugh at power; and 'have the smell
of the sheep.' Be a man with whom flesh and blood can connect; make the papacy
not just about chair, crozier, the papal tiara, and playing safe. Pope Francis led
the Church with the authority and obligations of a co-pilgrim. He became the
conscience of the Church. Individuals, communities, and nations experienced
kindness and understanding. An eager world, longing for empathy and
compassion took notice, and said, Amen.
Mario Bergoglio's family had immigrated to Argentina in 1929 to escape the
oppressive fascist regime of Benito Mussolini. This background likely instilled in
the family a deep appreciation for freedom and perhaps a sensitivity towards
issues of human dignity, social justice, and human rights.
He could feel
Mario Bergoglio held various jobs, including working as a janitor, a bouncer at a
nightclub, and as a chemical technician. These diverse experiences in different
work environments provided him with a grounded perspective and an
understanding of the challenges and realities faced by people from various walks
of life. As a priest, his deep empathy led him to personally assist and offer solace
to individuals struggling with drug addiction, prostitution, and those trapped in
situations of human slavery.
Pope Francis signaled a more inclusive and welcoming stance towards LGBTQ+
individuals, famously responding to a question about a gay priest with the now-
iconic words, "Who am I to judge?" This statement marked a significant shift in
tone and signaled a move towards greater acceptance.
He could laugh
Pope Francis possessed a good sense of humor, particularly directed at
conservatism, hypocrisy, power, and himself; suggesting that a lack of humour
could hinder one's faith journey. Pope Francis addressed power and authority
with wit and humour, including his own position as the Pontiff. In one instance,
he advised a young boy who aspired to be either a policeman or a Pope to
consider the police force, joking that "anyone can become a pope, look at me!"
Humour makes us grounded. It reminds us that none of us are indispensable. I
need not be the last word, I too can make mistakes.
He could kneel down
"Gestures speak louder than words." Kneeling is a gesture deeply embedded in
religious traditions, signifying a range of spiritual attitudes including reverence,
supplication, penance, and profound respect. Pope Francis knelt before
prisoners, leaders, children, and even before street dogs. His kneeling was not
just a symbol of humility, but a powerful act of non-threatening leadership, and a
distinctive approach to papal ministry.
In April 2019, Pope Francis knelt and kissed the feet of each of the South
Sudanese leaders: President Salva Kiir, his former deputy turned opposition
leader Riek Machar, and three other vice presidents, to invigorate the country's
fragile peace process. On Holy Thursday in March 2016, Pope Francis knelt to
wash the feet of several refugees at the Center for Asylum Seekers in
Castelnuovo di Porto, near Rome. This diverse group included Muslims, Hindus,
Copts, and Catholics, with reports specifying eight men and four women from
various countries participating in the ritual.
He could ask sorry
Pope Francis has made several significant apologies during his papacy,
particularly concerning the Catholic Church's role in historical injustices. In
2022, Pope Francis undertook a 'penitential pilgrimage' to Canada, where he
apologized for the Catholic Church's role in the residential school system. This
system forcibly removed Indigenous children from their families and subjected
them to abuse in church-run schools. He also acknowledged that the actions
taken in the residential schools amounted to genocide.
Pope Francis, with deep distress, addressed the issue of clergy sexual abuse,
acknowledging the Church's failures and expressing remorse for the suffering of
victims. A significant turning point in his understanding of the abuse crisis came
in 2018, after his visit to Chile, where he had to correct his previous statements,
and then went on to take stronger action against those who had perpetrated and
covered up the abuses.
It is important to understand that Pope Francis has worked to build a culture of
accountability within the Catholic Church, and that his feeling with, his laughter,
his stooping down, and apologies are part of that effort, and it has taken the
Church miles farther.
