"Pope Francis is a sturdy, holy man"

Nick Pierlot

I would like to think that I have been fairly involved in attempting to investigate and deepen my Catholic faith. My parents instilled in me a natural intellectual curiosity about the depths of my faith, which lead me to focus my bachelors degree in Religious Studies and Philosophy, and my Master’s degree in Catholic Theology specifically. I have also attempted to form my heart in it as well - with varying amounts of success (I am no saint yet). My first memory of the Pope was that iconic moment on his inauguration when he revealed himself in simple white garb and waved with a humility I had not expected. Francis (true to his chosen name) exuded a form of simplicity I had not expected to see from our Pontiff. I have come to hold the rational conviction that Pope Francis is a sturdy, holy man, with a necessary vision for the Church in the contemporary world. In himself, I think him to be humble, kind, and - above all - merciful . Indeed, the Pope for me is the image of mercy. Without denying the demands of justice he has revealed to me the necessity of Christian mercy just when I most needed it in my spiritual life. I am grateful for our Pope Francis, as I think every Christian ought to be (if I may be so bold). I do think Francis has had an overall good impact on the youth. My only argument for this is from a handful of experiences I have had with co-workers and some young converts I have gotten to know. Francis has put a smile on the face of the Catholic Church, whereas a scowl was only seen before. Pope Francis has effected a change in my life precisely for the fact that he attempts to follow this challenge to adopt a radical justice and mercy, the call to become Christ for others and he does it so humanly. Even his faults humble me, and I need humbling desperately. If I had the chance to meet Pope Francis I would say: “Thank you for the revitalization of my faith and the re-emphasis on a love that heals.” and furthermore, if I felt it appropriate, “I pray for you in your task, and I ask you to pray for me.”

Pope Francis is changing the popular view of the admonishing Catholic Church to a Church with smiling faces. Pope Francis tells Catholics not to have what he calls “chili pepper faces”. The faces of the faithful are meant to be full of a pure joy which comes from within. In almost every picture of the pope he exudes this joy. In one of his masses he said, “No Christian can exist without joy You may be told that there are many such Christians they are not Christians! They say they are, but they are not! They are missing something.” This is thanks to the resurrection of Jesus Christ. In Christ, God gave us hope and through this hope is where we find joy. Even two of his encyclicals come from finding joy. Both Amoris Laetitia (The Joy of Love) and Evangelii Gaudium (Joy of the Gospel) speak of joy in their own way. Evangelii Gaudium is about “filling the hearts and lives of all who encounter Jesus” and created a new evangelization “marked by joy”. Amoris Laetitia talks about joy in the family and how to cultivate this joy. Both of these encyclicals help people to understand God’s love in their life and how to share this love and the joy it gives you with others. Pope Francis has personally experienced the joy which comes from God and wants others to feel it as well.