The election of Pope Francis on Wednesday last was a lovely spring surprise. It came sooner than generally expected and, as has often happened in the past, the Cardinal chosen to lead the Church as Pope was not one of the many whose names were frequently mentioned as likely to be elected.
I warmly welcome the election of Pope Francis as the successor the Pope Benedict XVI. He is the first Pope from the New World and the choice of a Pope from Argentina is a timely reminder to us here in Europe of the universality of the Church. South America has almost half the world’s Catholics so it is fitting that the leadership of the Church should reflect that in its choice of a successor to St Peter.
The new Pope is the first to choose the name Francis and his words and actions in the short week since his election indicate that his choice of name was no accident. He clearly wishes to take as his inspiration the great Saint of Assisi who was called by God “to rebuild my Church” and to witness to Christ through a life of prayer and poverty. Pope Francis comes to his task with a reputation for simplicity of life, deep prayerfulness and a strong record of pastoral engagement with the poor and the marginalised. His election brings hope for renewal in the Church today to make it more clearly a sign of Christ’s love and Christ’s presence in the world.
Commentators have attempted to categorise Pope Francis in terms of liberal or conservative, but neither category does justice to the complexity and depth of the man. He is a scholar, but speaks the language of ordinary people. His first words to the people gathered in St Peter’s Square after his election were refreshingly informal: ‘brothers and sisters, good evening’. He is thoughtful and prayerful, but is known has someone who gets things done.
If anything, Pope Francis is a radical. He is radical, not in the sense of anarchic, but in the sense of one who goes to the roots of things. His words to the Cardinals in his first homily suggest as much. He said the Church must not be imagined like a big non-governmental organisation, but modelled on Jesus Christ: “If we do not confess Jesus Christ, nothing will avail. We will become a pitiful NGO, but not the Church, the bride of Christ.”
I ask you all to pray for Pope Francis as he takes on the enormous task of leading the Church in these difficult times. On behalf of all of us in the diocese of Kilmore I wish him health and strength and all God’s graces and blessings to carry out his ministry as Bishop of Rome and leader of the Universal Church.