Pope Francis appears for the first time on the central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican on March 13, 2013. CNS photo/Paul Haring

Pope Francis, with a New Vision

A pastoral focus on those on the margins

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Father Robert J. HaterThe papacy of Pope Francis follows in the spirit of the Second Vatican Council. He focuses on openness and the accompaniment of the poor and needy. By the time Francis became pope, a shift toward traditionalism and away from the more progressive implications of Vatican II was occurring in the Church.

Early on, the general populace admired his humility and concern for the marginalized. This manifested itself at the beginning of his papacy when he left the Vatican and entered the city of Rome to minister to the poor. He lived in a humble apartment inside the Vatican, instead of the regal quarters in which his predecessors occupied. On Holy Thursday, he visited a prison in Rome and washed the feet of convicts, including Muslims and women. Such actions reflect an open approach to the poor and needy, as does his answer to a question on the gay and lesbian lifestyle, when he said, “Who am I to judge.” His writings, lectures and sermons picture him as a true shepherd with a pastoral orientation.

Francis is a Jesuit, the first to be pope in history, and a native of Buenos Aires, Argentina. His papacy reflects his background. During his years as cardinal archbishop of Buenos Aires, he had a reputation as a defender of the poor and a frequent visitor to the slums to minister to the needy. This carried over to his papacy, reflected in his lectures and books, including his post-synodal apostolic exhortations, Evangelii Gaudium (2013) on the joy of the Gospel and Amoris Laetitia (2016) on love in the family. The tone of these publications describes Francis as a deeply caring person. This pastoral focus is also reflected in his ministry to migrants and refugees, care of the environment and asking for the forgiveness of Indigenous peoples for past treatment of their ancestors.

A Shift in Focus

Under Francis, openness exists to discuss controversial things like theological issues, dialogue on LGBTQ+ matters, divorce and remarriage, and liturgical questions, including the use or nonuse of the traditional Latin Mass. In addition, Francis has given greater responsibility to women in the Vatican bureaucracy and other Church positions in dioceses and elsewhere. He encourages discussions of the ordination of women to the diaconate.

Francis recognizes the divisions in the Church on multiple matters and the need for openness and transparency when addressing problems in the Church, like clerical abuse. His desire for openness and for bringing together the faithful as the one Body of Christ is reflected in his calling of a Church synod, including and encouraging input from the worldwide Church.

Previous popes called synods that were prepared, administered and voted upon primarily by a select number of bishops, theologians and cardinals, carefully chosen by the pope. The laity were represented as auditors and other lesser positions.

Francis’ synod was different. He made “synodality” a catchword for dialogue with the whole Church on key issues. From the beginning, in grassroots meetings around the globe, his synod was carried out according to his directives for openness and honesty. This synod, in a sense, can be considered as a sort of culmination of his papacy, a permanent legacy to the Church.

Every pope brings unique gifts to the papacy and is led by the Holy Spirit. John Paul II, Benedict XVI and Francis were different and brought different gifts to the Church. Following in their paths, the Church is called to recognize how these three popes complement one another. The same applies to those who will come after them, regardless of their styles and interests.

The Holy Spirit guides the Church to the kingdom of God, which Jesus promised to those who are faithful. During these changing times, the Church is called to be a beacon of light on a seashore that we call planet Earth. May we follow this light, as the Holy Spirit guides us in the humble way of Francis. In so doing, may we reach the goal to which we aspire by our openness to one another and to God who created us.

FATHER ROBERT J. HATER, Ph.D., a Cincinnati archdiocesan priest, is an internationally known author and lecturer. He is professor emeritus at the University of Dayton and resides at St. Clare Parish in Cincinnati.

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