Loving This Pope

Pope Francis on Monday continued to recast the Catholic Church’s image by focusing on its inviting, merciful aspects, this time shocking a planeload of reporters by saying of homosexuality: “Who am I to judge?”

 

“If they accept the Lord and have goodwill, who am I to judge them?” the leader of the world’s 1.2 billion Catholics said in a remarkably candid and off-the-cuff news conference en route to Rome from Brazil. “They shouldn’t be marginalized.”   -  The Washington Post - On Faith

 

See the rest of this article:  http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/in-first-press-conference-pope-francis-calls-for-inclusion-of-gays-in-society-saying-he-has-no-right-to-judge/2013/07/29/0d26789e-f87e-11e2-b018-5b8251f0c56e_story.html

 

As the head of an institution known through the ages for its pomp and circumstance, Pope Francis seems to tolerate, rather than relish, the pomp.  And, clearly, his heart is aligned with the circumstances of impoverished people around the world.  I'm now fully convinced this Pope is the embodiment of humility and authenticity—a nugget of good news I'm embracing today!  

 

The Pope's simple but profound words about homosexuality are worth celebrating.  As is Pope Francis, the man.   He carries his briefcase because he sees himself as a person who's simply serving as Pope.  A person rather than an icon.  It was refreshing to hear a reporter on that plane from Brazil to Rome so obviously excited and amazed by the Pope coming to visit with reporters.  Apparently he answered questions, "did not dodge" or refuse to answer any, and was forthright and relaxed in answering.  He had no notes.  Pope Francis is comfortable with media because he's comfortable with himself.  He is who he is—and he allowed those reporters, and is letting all of us, see him.  He was relating to them from his personhood rather than from his powerful position as Pope.  He seems to have done the work of minimizing the ego much as the great Buddhist teachers do.

 

Some of our political and business leaders would do well to learn from this humble servant.  I won't ruin my happy buzz by speculating on whether the Pope's attitude will change any of the Church's official positions on homosexuality; however,  our Catholic gay and lesbian brothers and sisters are bound to feel more a part of their Church.  And that's a good thing.