What Pope Francis means to me

A selection of Catholics give their impression of Francis’ pontificate so far

Bro. Kevin Crowley

“I think Pope Francis is a wonderful man and that he is going to bring life into the Church, and he is going to bring people back to the Faith. He is a man of the people, a man for the poor and the underprivileged, and a man who is not pompous in any way. I think it is good to have somebody like him as our Pope and he is an inspiration for all Catholics.”

 

Fr Seán McDonagh

“By choosing the name Pope Francis, he is giving a lot of attention to what’s happening in Gods’ creation and the first encyclical on the environment is promised by the summer.

“Something else I like about him is that he is the Bishop of Rome rather than the Pope and in parts of Evangelii Gaudium he quotes bishops’ conferences. So he is not standing above the bishops of the world, but working collaboratively with bishops.

“He has also indicated his interest in difficult questions particularly on marriage and people in second relationships and the Eucharist, and he has been honest and wholesome in asking people to talk and discuss.

“One thing we need in Ireland is support in the form of ministry and priesthood. We need other forms of priesthood and ministry, and he seems like someone who might be open to that.”

 

Fr Hugh McMahon

“Before the last papal election I had hoped the new Pope would be from outside Europe. In fact he was and he has fulfilled our hopes for someone with a fresh vision, close to the Gospel message. He has created great enthusiasm all around the world through visits to countries like Korea and the Philippines. 

“My remaining hope is that he will canonise Mateo Ricci, the great saint who introduced the Christian message into China using the language and culture of the people to do so. He was strongly criticised by many for introducing a variety of cultures into the Church and the efforts to ensure Church unity through uniformity continue. Hopefully Francis will keep on giving more autonomy to local Churches around the world, so they can build more on their own spiritual traditions.”

 

Marie Collins

“One of the most important aspects of Pope Francis for me is the way in which he has impressed on other Church leaders the importance of seeing themselves as pastors not princes.

“He has modelled this for them himself in the way in which he interacts with society.  I do not see him as a man who is liberal or conservative, but rather one who expresses the teachings of the Faith in a more humane and less judgemental way than may have happened in the past. I hope he continues with us for many years to come and is granted the time to complete the work he has set for himself.”

 

Maura Garrihy

“Pope Francis – joyful, missionary and unexpected! He is hopeful, idealistic and speaks alanguage that even the non-believer might hear. This is an example for us to follow – a leader who knows the smell of his sheep and goes out with the lost one in mind. “I want a mess!” “Do not be afraid to dream of great things!” “Be joyful witnesses of love.” “Go, do not be afraid and serve.” He is melting hearts one step at a time and is showing our young people that the Church is a place where they are loved, accepted and challenged.

“His selfie with young people that went viral is what remains in my heart as we celebrate the second anniversary of his election – it shows a Church that is relevant and life giving. Our young people see in him the face of Christ. They experience Jesus’ presence and know they are loved. He challenges us to leave our comfort zones and through his witness many are accepting this challenge to be a Church on mission.”

 

Fr Peter Rodgers

“Our hopes for the ministry of Pope Francis were high from his first appearance on the balcony of St Peter’s and I for one have not been disappointed. He is a truly Gospel person and a superb communicator of the Gospel message. And his deeds have always matched his words. Because of this, he has had a huge influence on the way the Church is perceived, in Ireland and elsewhere. And certainly in his case, it is more than perception. He doesn’t just talk about a poor and simple Church; he lives poorly and simply.

“The same is true for the care of the sick and marginalised, compassion for refugees and asylum seekers, not judging others, trust in the mercy of God in Confession, avoiding double-dealing in financial matters – the list is endless.

“I find I rarely give a homily nowadays without quoting him or referring to something he has done in recent times. And the same is true of other religious ceremonies I have attended in the last two years. He speaks as pastor of a Church that cares.”

 

Eoin Carroll

“Pope Francis has emphasised a God of compassion (loving) rather than a God of law (rule-bound). He has made it clear that he wants a poor Church for people who are poor, that he wants authentic and not tokenistic consultation with everyone.

“This is pretty radical stuff, but in fact common sense – the people are the Church, so it makes sense that the hierarchy should listen and involve women and men in decision making at all levels.

“Francis is also a man of action, he has met people in prison, migrants and people homeless and spoken out about their needs.

“People are connecting with this personal approach. There has been huge excitement around Francis, what is needed now is to bring this message, this vision, closer to home; for the Church leadership in Ireland to embrace, for us all to embrace.

“It won’t be easy; it’s hard to relinquish power and privilege.”

 

Bosco McShane

“Pope Francis has been a breath of fresh air in a world where people are getting more depressed and apathetic. He is challenging us lay people and the clergy to walk as a living Gospel and more importantly to share the joy of knowing Christ.

“The world needs to see and feel this joy, and Pope Francis is smiling throughout his journey, so he is practicing what he preaches. He has an ability to impact young and old, practicing and non-practicing
Catholics, and equally
non-Catholics are intrigued by him. 

“We see it in schools each week in our retreats as young children are choosing the name of Francis for Confirmation. Simply by adopting the name of St Francis of Assisi he is taking things back to basics, challenging us to disconnect from our worldly comforts and to reconnect with God and others around us.

“He is certainly waking up the world, one by one.”

 

Maeve Mahon

“In a short two years Pope Francis has done and begun many things that have the potential to have a profound impact on the Irish and the universal Church; the calling of the Synod on the Family and the accompanying consultation, his very presence with people, but most of all his actions, his everyday lived reality that bears witness always to the Gospel.

“The caveat must be that he is but one man defined by his formation, cultural context and, dare I say, age.

“As a woman I am deeply uneasy at some of his comments on women and am disappointed that there seems to be little attempt to find creative ways of placing women in positions of responsibility where they that might help to effect the change that Pope Francis clearly desires. But, with St Julian, I continue to hope and pray, ‘that all will be well’.”

 

Sr Stan Kennedy

Founder and President of Focus Ireland

“Pope Francis is a breath of fresh air. He is a deeply spiritual man and radiates that.

“He communicates clearly in a way that ordinary people can understand. He is a man of great pastoral care, a man who is clearly on the side of the poor, the vulnerable and the underdogs, leading by example by reaching out to the poor and going to places where there is suffering, hunger, famine and inequality.

“He has also embraced the role of the laity recognising that the Catholic Church is in all of us: lay people, priests, religious.”

 

Heydi Foster

“One thing for certain is Pope Francis not only stands in solidarity with the vulnerable and marginalised he also advocates for them with his actions. For example, our members the Sisters of Our Lady of Apostles in Tanzania are benefitting from a partnership between the Vatican and the Gillette Pharmaceutical Company on a pilot programme to test and treat 20,000 people living with HIV and AIDS for the rest of their lives.

“More than 35 million people are living with HIV and AIDS today, of which a shocking 3.2 million are children. Despite some advances in recent years, this epidemic is still very real. It makes me think of a line from the song You Ain’t Never Had a Friend Like Me from the Disney musical Aladdin which goes: ‘You got some power in your corner now/Some heavy ammunition in your camp.’

“I am grateful for the fact that the poor of this world have a true friend in Pope Francis who is determined to bring the power of the Church to their corner.”        

 

Msgr Hugh Connolly

“Obviously, our Holy Father did not choose his papal name for no reason. From the moment of that memorable announcement to the crowds in St Peter’s Square he has shown every intention of walking in the footsteps of St Francis, especially in the latter’s love for the poor and the sick.

“Pope Francis’ views and teachings also reflect his astute grasp of contemporary challenges in the 21st century – palpably evident in his critical commentaries on scandalous levels of corruption, inequality, and materialism afflicting much of the world today. His personal background has surely played a critical role in providing him with a better understanding of the lives and thoughts of ordinary people – and the struggles of daily life for all, especially those on the margins of the society. And yet his cogent analysis and lucid insight is never separate from his deep faith and constant insistence that: God wants to make everyone share as brothers and sisters in that one blessing, which attains its fullness in Jesus (Lumen Fidei 54).”

 

Lisa O’Hare

“I love Pope Francis – first and foremost because he is our Holy Father! I would love him no matter what his personality, charisma or intellectual capabilities.

“As it happens I also love him for all those reasons and more.

“Pope Francis exudes all the warmth of a father who deeply loves his children, but who also wants to teach them. He speaks so apparently freely it seems to unnerve people, but it inspires me! It reminds me of how Jesus spoke – humble in His approach, simple in His delivery – a voice soft with compassion but firm in truth.

“By his example Pope Francis encourages us all to allow the Holy Spirit to act in our lives – to push us out from within our own comfort zones to reach others.

“I can never keep up with all the treasures contained in his sermons, but even when I don’t get to read what he says I can see what he preaches through the love that shines through his actions.”

 

Fr Tony O’Riordan

Parish Priest of Moyross, Limerick

“Pope Francis is a welcome prophet, but prophets are often misunderstood, rejected, or even worse accommodated and assimilated.

“As a Jesuit in one of the poorest and most neglected communities in Ireland, I am heartened by the words and actions of Pope Francis that demonstrate that the poor and the reality of their lives are close to his heart and should be close to the heart of the Church.

“His low key approach to his position and his fondness for people is hard not to be touched by. Pope Francis may have brought the possibility of a bounce, it remains to be seen if the Irish Church has the passion to catch this bouncing ball. It is my firm belief that the Irish Church will miss the point of renewal and the real source of God given basis for renewal, if it does not immerse itself in the daily realities of people who struggle to affirm their dignity through the efforts they make to overcome the evil that blights their lives.”

 

Éamonn Meehan

“Pope Francis has shone a light on key issues driving extreme poverty. He has warned of the dangers of exclusion, inequality and the idolatry of money, reminding us that the financial system should serve rather than rule.

“Pope Francis has also spoken of the urgent need to protect our natural environment and of the need for sustainability in how we live our lives. His calls for solidarity, sustainability and a global system focused on the needs of the poor strike a chord with Trócaire’s vision for a just world. Pope Francis is a powerful advocate for the world’s poor.

“He reminds us all – citizens, politicians and business leaders – that a system which reinforces inequality, exclusion, injustice and poverty must be rejected.”