2 weeks Ago
It matters what the pope says. His guidance, love and moral direction serves as a center of faith for the world’s 1.2 billion Catholics.
But the leader of the church also enjoys an influential voice in international affairs, and his words carry weight with people around the world. Pope Francis used his pulpit to relentlessly advocate on behalf of the most vulnerable, the oppressed and those threatened by war and violence, and it was a message the world needed to hear. It’s why Hampton Roads — and not only our Catholic community — grieves for his death on Monday and celebrates the life of a powerful voice for good.
Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aries, Argentina, Francis ascended to the papacy in 2013 under circumstances not seen since 1415. Pope Benedict, elected following the 2005 death of long-serving John Paul II, decided to step down. The church would have two popes, one retired.
Francis was an unexpected choice as pontiff. He was from Argentina, and the church had never had a pope from Latin America. And he was a Jesuit, an order that emerged as aggressive reformers in the 16th century, and no previous pope had followed that path.
But his election elevated a dedicated servant to the poor and downtrodden into the head of the Catholic Church and one of the most important roles in global politics. He would remain true to that calling. His choice of name honored St.
Francis of Assisi, who distributed his family’s wealth to live a life of devotion with nature and in pursuit of peace. It was a clear signal that Francis would be focused on the most vulnerable. He led by example.
He lived in a guest house rather than the papal apartment and eschewed the typical adornments of his office, favoring basic robes to gilded ones, regular work shoes to the traditional red slippers, and a $20 watch he wore for years. Francis wanted a Catholic Church “that is poor and for the poor.” During his time as pope, he instructed the approximately 1 billion Catholics around the world to act with mercy toward all others, including those the church has traditionally shunned.
He was more open and welcoming to women serving in influential roles and to members of the LGBTQ community. He spoke and wrote frequently about the importance of nature and the scourge of environmental degradation, including climate change. And he was honest in confronting moments in history where the church had fallen short of its mission to be a fierce protector of the most vulnerable.
Francis sought to end conflicts, doing so by spotlighting the suffering of those affected by war — especially women and children. And he, particularly in later years, emphasized the plight of migrants fleeing violence and oppression, asking nations to open their doors and for people to open their hearts to those seeking safety and freedom. Throughout his pontificate, Francis was a voice for empathy, for compassion and for inclusion.
The world, and our nation, would be a better place for listening to that powerful call. Sign up for Viewpoints, an opinion newsletter His Easter message was, typical for him, a call for peace and an appeal to humanity which unites us and the dignity to which all people are entitled: “On this day, I would like all of us to hope anew and to revive our trust in others, including those who are different than ourselves, or who come from distant lands, bringing unfamiliar customs, ways of life and ideas ..
. “May the principle of humanity never fail to be the hallmark of our daily actions. In the face of the cruelty of conflicts that involve defenseless civilians and attack schools, hospitals and humanitarian workers, we cannot allow ourselves to forget that it is not targets that are struck, but persons, each possessed of a soul and human dignity.
” As Catholics mourn Francis’ passing, we should mourn with them and find inspiration in the commitment to compassion that was his life’s mission..
