Pope’s extraordinary mission

Wed, Oct 9th 2013, 08:11 Last updated on 9/10/13

This is the pope of surprises. Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergo­glio, Archbishop of Buenos Aires, was, of course, one of the few papabile cardinals during the papal elections held last March following the surprise resignation of Pope Benedict XVI earlier in the year. Other than this, one can only expect the unexpected from him.

Bergoglio was the first Jesuit to become Pope. He took the name of Francis, a first time in the history of the Papacy, in honour of St Francis of Assisi with his message of modesty and devotion to poverty. With this move, the new Pope wanted to send a clear message to the world, that the Church needed to go back to its original humble roots as preached by Christ.

Symbolically, he refused the traditional papal mozzeta cape upon his election and now carries a simple unadorned metal cross on his breast. He resides with other clergy in the Domus Sanctae Mathae instead of the sumptuous papal apartments as is traditional with popes.

In a recent wide-ranging interview published in a prominent Jesuit magazine, the Pope said the Church has a right to express its opinions, but not to interfere in the lives of people. He mentioned particularly gays and lesbians. The Pope’s comments do not break with traditional Catholic doctrine but show a clear shift of approach – moving from an attitude of unmitigated censure to one of open engagement with those of different views and beliefs.

Pope Francis talks the simple language, is down-to-earth, hugs people and has an engaging smile for everyone. He is not aloof and despite the potential dangers he will not allow himself to be isolated by the imposition of restrictive security measures.

He shares the daily problems of life directly with the public when in audience. He acts with humility, with particular concern for the poor and the marginalized in life.

He is committed to dialogue with people of different backgrounds, beliefs and faiths. Pope John XXIII is reported to have said at the opening of the Vatican Council in 1963: “I expect a little fresh air from it.” His successor, Pope Francis, is living up to that expectation. He is bringing that “little fresh air” and by practicing humility and openness he is shaking off “the imperial dust that has accumulated on the throne of St Peter”.

On October 3, the Pope visited St Francis Basilica in Assisi. The aim of the visit was to show the world what he will try to achieve during his papacy. We can now form a general, but firm, picture of these goals.

According to Associated Press these include:

A Church that is poor for the poor. Francis has made it clear that one of the principal objectives is a Church that is humble, looks out for the poorest and brings them hope.

A Church that welcomes everyone, including non-believers. The respect for people of different faiths or no faith at all has become a hallmark of Francis’s papacy as he actively seeks atheists for dialogue.

A Church that doesn’t judge. Francis has said: “Who am I to judge?” He has brought about a simple message with regards to those considered by the world as ‘different’, be they gay, lesbians, drug addicts, convicts, etc. They all deserve love.

A Church that should stop being inward looking. Francis wants to convey hope to those living in desperation. The Church shall not lock itself in the sacristy expecting people to come to it. Instead it should go to the peripheries where the discarded live to spread the message of hope, faith and charity.

His first trip outside Rome was to Lampedusa, an island that receives the largest proportion of irregular migrants from Africa.

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Francis is against ‘small-minded rules’ that suffocate members of the Church from practicing proper religion as preached by Christ

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A Church that is not obsessed with the past and rules. Francis is against ‘small-minded rules’ that suffocate members of the Church from practicing proper religion as preached by Christ.

In some instances faithful people locked in a mindset of rules, regulations and traditional practices make themselves, often without realising it, insensitive to those suffering under the weight of injustices and prejudices. Francis would rather see the Church open its arms to all and focus on mercy.

A reformed Church. Francis was elected on a mandate to reform the Church. Francis will not allow himself to become a prisoner of the Vatican Curia. In doing so he wants to involve lay men and women in the life of the Church, just as St Francis wanted.

It is now very clear why Bergoglio chose the name of Francis on being elected Pope. His guiding light is St Francis of Assisi. St Francis was famously told by God: “Francis, Francis, go and repair my house which, as you can see, is falling into ruins.” In doing so St Francis renounced a wealthy and pampered lifestyle to embrace a life of poverty and minister to the most destitute.

In reforming the Church, Pope Francis has vowed to follow that path which is the way of Christ who was always near to the poor and those burdened with difficulties.