As 2013 comes to an end, I have been thinking about the most important events of 2013.
The election of Pope Francis tops my list.
Second only to the Pope himself is the impact he is having on the world in general, and Christianity in particular.
Pope Francis is first and foremost a Christian. That is what makes him different, and his impact so dramatic.
Most popes are church leaders first, Christians second, as are most clergy, Protestant and Catholic. But not this man. Pope Francis has decided to put the church second and following the example he sees in Jesus’ life first.
Because of that decision, one I believe grounded in the very fiber of who he is, Pope Francis has become the world’s most renown critic of unfettered capitalism.
But his critics don’t understand him. He’s been called everything from a socialist to a Marxist, when his words and actions are simply Christ-like.
Indeed, when he criticizes the worship of money, when he exposes the moral bankruptcy of economies like ours that thrive on economic disparity, when he says caring for the least among us is the right thing to do, he is speaking the kind of truth Christians should recognize.
But many American Christians don’t, which is why his words have such a sting to them. By being thoroughly Christian, he has de facto exposed right wing Christianity for the hypocrisy it represents, what with its preoccupation with so-called “family values” while giving uncritical support of policies that feed economic inequities.
Rob Asghar, a writer and a University Fellow at the University of Southern California’s Center on Public Diplomacy, recently wrote in Forbes Magazine online edition, ”Granted, Francis’ pronouncements on capitalism may be imperfect or incomplete or misguided in the minds of some. Still, he is the first global religious leader in maybe centuries to bring up the elephant in the room, which is the tension between the Ayn Rand school of economics and the great world religions such as Christianity.”
That pretty much sums up who Pope Francis is and why ultra conservatives, whether political or religious, don’t think much of him.
But I think the world of him.
Indeed, I think he may be the most Christian Christian leader we have seen in generations. It’s for sure he is a pope whose heart is like that of Mother Theresa. What an amazing combination – a male pope with a woman’s heart.
So my prayer for 2014 is for Francis to have many more years of good health so he can have an even greater impact on the world than he has had already.
linnposts.com 
‘Amen’ to your prayer!
He recommended that we no longer define ourselves as “Catholics”, but as Christians. I like that.
Though most of my differences with the Church of Rome remain, I can see that with the election of Pope Francis, there is at last a spirit of revival in the air – not before time, and in the proper sense of the word. Last year on my side of the pond saw the enthronement of Dr Timothy Dakin, as the 97th Bishop of Winchester. In his first sermon, he spoke about “Living the mission of Jesus”. In Luke ch. 22, verse 27, Jesus said at the last supper, that “…I have come among you as one who serves”. If we’re supposed to be followers of Jesus, then surely this concept of service is absolutely crucial. Both Pope Francis and Dr Dakin should have at least that much in common, for they’ll then both be living Jesus’ mission.
We need a Pope like what we’ve got. As a Progressive Christian I believe he is moving in the right direction.
I think your assessment of Pope Francis is GREAT! I have not been much of a follower of Popes, but Pope Francis seems to have it pretty well figured out and is talking about what I think real Christianity is supposed to be, rather than talking about “the church’. The mere fact that the ultra conservatives have a problem with him tells me that he is on the right track. I wish him a long and successful papacy.
Jan, I just love the way you write; it all makes sense in a nonsensical world. Happy New Year!
Imagine that, a Christ-like pope! What’s next, a Christ-like archbishop in the Twin Cities? I think you’re on the money, Jan, in your assessment of Pope Francis. May God give him many years in the “bulliest” pulpit of all.
Yes! Amen to your assessment and these supportive comments! Let’s also pray that, as happened with Jesus, those whose self-serving ways he threatens do not decide to remove him! I think he has many more Christ-like messages for us all.
Finally! A Pope who agrees with YOU! One caution: don’t be too quick to decide what the Pope really said. There are words, and then there are words with innuendo, with caution. I’d sit on this a while until more information comes out; Pope is not an economist.