Pope Francis

I had barely composed myself in the barber’s chair when I was asked, “... and what do you think of the new Pope?” That was probably the most asked question for the past week. Well, I like him. I believe, should he continue to serve as he did as a priest, the world would see a different brand of leadership in the Catholic Church.

In less than 24 hours after he became the first non-European pope in some 1,300 years, Francis seemed to break more rules than his predecessor did in eight years. Actually, the first words out of Francis' mouth after he became Pope sent a signal that things would be different.

He did not start by using the customary "Praised be Jesus Christ", but employed a much more familiar and inviting "Buona Sera" - good evening in Italian - to address drenched crowds in a rain-swept St. Peter's Square.

On the morning after his election, the Vatican was scrambling to meet the needs of a new-style papacy. For example, while he was still in the Sistine Chapel, his aides set up a throne-like chair on a platform for him to sit on while the cardinals pledged their obedience one at a time. Instead, he came down to their lower level and remained standing while they each greeted him.

Less than an hour later, he shunned the papal limousine that was waiting to take him to a Vatican residence for a meal. As the last bus pulled up, guess who got off? It was Pope Francis. The only difference between him and the cardinals was that he was no longer wearing their red robes, but a white robe.

There was more unorthodox papal behavior on Thursday morning when Francis returned to the Church-run residence where he had checked in as a cardinal for the conclave. He insisted on paying his hotel bill, despite now being the boss.

"He wanted to get his luggage - he had left everything there," a Vatican spokesman told a news briefing. "He then stopped in the office, greeted everyone and decided to pay the bill for the room, because he was concerned about giving a good example of what priests and bishops should do."

The behavior of the new Pope is consistent with the name he chose – Francis. He admitted he had St. Francis of Assisi in mind when deciding on a name. Actually, it was a cardinal from Brazil who said to him to remember the poor, when it seemed that the Argentinean would be selected. The Pope told the media that he wanted to honor St. Francis of Assisi, an admirer of nature and a servant to the poor and destitute.

St. Francis of Assisi was born the son of a rich cloth merchant. But he lived in rags among beggars at St. Peter's Basilica in Rome. He was known for bonding with lepers and the poor. Those close to Pope Francis see similarities between the two men.

With the election of Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Buenos Aires as pope, the Roman Catholic Church has elected the first Pope from the Society of Jesus, known as the Jesuits. This society was founded by Ignatius of Loyola in the 16th century. Now this Jesuit Pope takes the name Francis from the humble servant of medieval Assisi who began the Franciscan order 300 years before Ignatius.

Like Ignatius, he has a reputation for using his mind to solve a problem but his heart to make a decision. Like Francis of Assisi, he operates within the world of an ordained clergy while not being drowned in self-serving clerical rank and privilege.

So what Pope Francis seems to bring to the table, at least at a first glance, is personal authenticity and credibility – critical precursors to change. I believe Pope Francis will continue to be a model of service to everyone, but especially to the less fortunate.

Interestingly, to be a model servant to the less fortunate should not be limited to a pope. Jesus was clear when He taught that serving the less fortunate is expected of every Christian (Matthew 25:31-46). In addition, Jesus taught that leadership and authority are best illustrated when we lead with the attitude of children.
This Easter season provides a great opportunity to reflect on symbols of service to others. The cross is one such symbol. In the first century culture the cross represented defeat and shame. However, the death of Jesus on a cross changed that negative picture.

In referring to the cross the Apostle Paul said, “But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise and the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things, and the things that are not, to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before Him” (1 Corinthians 1:28-29). You now understand why I believe that by using simple approaches Pope Francis is destined to become a great spiritual leader. I like Pope Francis.