Pope Francis: The Pastoral Pope

As I reflect on the legacy of Pope Francis and what it means to me, one word comes to mind to describe him. Pastoral.

His perspective on faith, modern cultural issues, and relating to people on a human level was pastoral. It always came from a heart of love and mercy, not judgment or condemnation. It did not matter who you were - non-believers, children, criminals, fellow Christians, global leaders, trans and LBGTQIA+ persons, divorced and civilly remarried people, indigenous people from the Amazon, fellow priests, and the list goes on. 

His approach to people was gentle, simple, curious, inclusive, and loving.

He expanded the arms of the Church so that no one felt excluded from the love and mercy of God in ways we needed it. His pastoral approach to people, faith, and culture is one that has deeply formed me and stretched me in necessary ways like a rubber band.

I was able to see and be close to Pope Francis on several occasions: leading WYD pilgrimages with young people in 2013 and 2016 and taking a group of adults to The World Meeting of Families in 2015. Those memories are ones I will cherish for the rest of my life. His spirit was palpable and his energy and joy were contagious.

In many ways Pope Francis is the Pope of my evolved, adult faith. Because of him, I ask deeper questions, I am more curious about people different from me, and I want to see that the Church excludes no one from the love and mercy of God.

Thank you, Pope Francis, for leading with a pastoral example. May my own life capture a spark of this flame that you exhibited over the course of your life. I am better for it. We all are.