Pope Francis led the Church with the authority and obligation of a co-pilgrim. He became the conscience of the Church.
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.
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 humour, 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 Centre 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 apologised 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.
Written as editorial for TOGETHER national magazine.
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