New Pope, More Hope

I am impressed by what Pope Francis is saying and showing to the world at large. What he is saying and showing is consistent with his previous ministry in South America. While he served as an archbishop in Argentina, he lived in a simple apartment, traveled by bus rather than in a high-class ecclesiastical limousine, and cared for the poor. He is demonstrating the same pattern of behavior in his new role as Pope. He says he wants to establish a "poor church" that cares for "the poor." In Rome, he has declined to move into the opulent papal apartments, does not wear ostentatious papal vestments, and travels in the Vatican bus, not in the papal limousine. On the Thursday evening prior to Good Friday, he demonstrated the servant lifestyle that Jesus wants His brothers and sisters to embrace: He washed feet!

His action in washing the feet of twelve prison inmates (including two women) impressed me. Although some church officials were unhappy about his washing the feet of the two women (one of whom was a Muslim), we would do well to remember that although on the evening before His crucifixion Jesus washed the feet of His disciples, on another occasion He permitted a woman with an unsavory reputation to wash His feet (Luke 7:36-50).

There is good reason to believe that Pope Francis plans to focus on helping people understand the Real Jesus and reflect His servant lifestyle in all that they think, say, and do. Yes, Jesus invites people to believe in Him as forgiving Savior, but He also calls people to follow and reflect Him as Servant Lord, full-time. I pray that the Pope's mind, message, and manner will make an impact around the world!