On the auspicious occasion of His Holiness Pope Francis attaining the plenitude of witnessing a thousand full moons, a nonagenarian theologian based in Kozhikode pays rich tribute to the “supreme artisan of the common good”
His Holiness, Pope Francis, the supreme pontiff of the Catholic Church turns eighty four on Thursday. The shepherd of lakhs and lakhs of the faithful flock attains the plenitude of witnessing a thousand full moons. Both by name and character; through his words, deeds; and in ecclesiastical and quotidian life is manifested an original spirit.
The Vicar of Jesus Christ is the first Pope to be chosen from the Society of Jesus order founded by Saint Ignatius of Loyola. Instead of confining care and concern to the saintly order, the Pope insists on showering these on all creation. Papa also ushers in change in the Church’s doctrine in step with the times. The self-critical Pope is also the force of revision.
The differentiation began with the choice of the name, Francis. Saint Francis of Assisi is hailed as the second Christ. In sacerdotal history, St. Francis, the ally of all forlorn and humble creatures of sky and earth, is the soul of spirituality. An incarnation of infinite virtues.
Papa doesn’t foist crimes on anyone. His Holiness is on record as having said: “As for whether or not I’m a communist: I am sure that I have not said anything more than what the Church’s social doctrine teaches.” This is an attitude that embraces all. He has iterated umpteen times that none need approach him with predetermined notions or pangs of guilt. It is this demeanour that has endeared him to everybody, including the media.
I have attentively studied the lives of all Popes, starting with Pius X. Many have I known in person. For four years beginning from 1962, the S J Ashram in Rome was my place of work. What makes this Pope extraordinary among all those have observed is the beneficial fruits that emanate from his very thinking. The Holy Father teaches that godly loves cradles not just man and woman, but even transgender. Papa exhorts that the marginalised, those materially poor and the differently abled should not be ignored. His Holiness releases an encyclical advocating deserving care for life generating in the womb and the elderly, alike. Pope Francis reminds those among the clerics and prelates who stray from the path of the Lord to return to their calling. He champions timely reform in the church. The Pope always issues clarion calls for empowering women and ensuring the security of refugees. Those outside of the following see a new approach in these works. That is why this change of style gains popular attention. Thus it becomes a part of history.
Directions laid down by Popes are incontrovertible. That is both precept and tradition. But, here too Pope Francis is an exemplar. He voluntarily abjured the palatial comforts of the Vatican, opting for an ordinary room like a commoner. Shunning opulence; settling for simplicity and sacrifice, leavening life.
From the perspective of the flock, each Pope is ordained by the Lord to suit the temper of the times. This style must be the will of the Almighty. The big shepherd teaches a divine ideology that swaddles humanity. Not just in words, but in deeds too. This message infuses the work titled “Let us dream the path to a better future,” written in the context of the Covid-19 contagion.
Ruminating on Pope Francis, I confess to a sliver of happiness in belonging to our shared order of the Society of Jesus. It seems apt to end this piece with a quote from His Holiness: “What we say and how we say it, our every word and gesture, ought to express God’s compassion, tenderness and forgiveness for all.”
{Translation of the original Malayalam published in the Mathrubhumi opinion page of December 16, 2020}
Prepared by Dr. Abi P Joy
