Kirstyn Higgins |
Jorge Mario Bergoglio became the 266th Pope on the 13th March 2013, after Pope Benedict XVI shocked the world by announcing his abdication on the 11th February 2013, the first Pope to do so in almost 600 years. Since then, his Papacy has been a remarkable one. It has been marked by the great contrast in this Pontiff to any we have seen before; in his personality, lifestyle and even dress.
The Holy Father established himself unlike others even prior to beginning his Papacy, by being the first to choose ‘Francis’ as his papal name, in honour of St. Francis of Assisi. He is also the first Jesuit Pope and the first from the Americas. He has gained a worldwide following from the faithful and secular alike due to what many see as his down to earth nature and “common touch.” How many Popes could boast working as a bouncer before entering Seminary? Many have lovingly dubbed him a superhero, but he has rejected this label, stating it goes against everything his Papacy stands for: humbleness.
Pope Francis chose not to live in the official papal residence in the Apostolic Palace, instead residing in the modest Domus Sanctae Marthae, the Vatican guest house most commonly used as residence for visiting clergy. In his first appearance as Pontiff, he discarded the decadent papal mozzetta worn by previous Popes, opting instead for a simple white cassock. He also kept the iron pectoral cross he wore as Archbishop of Buenos Aires, rather than the gold one which is customary for Popes. His humble attitude is not only confined to his own life either, as we have seen him defy Papal boundaries by washing the feet of prisoners, embracing the disfigured, and reaching out to the mentally ill, the disabled and the poor.
In these acts we see a Pope determined to define what he thinks the church should be; a poor church, for the poor. During the conclave voting where it became clear he would be elected as the new Bishop of Rome, the Brazilian Cardinal Cláudio Hummes embraced him and whispered, “Don’t forget the poor”. It is evident that he has not. Pope Francis is one who can be admired by people from all faiths and walks of life, for his actions and words show someone who does not see themselves as a hero, but simply a humble servant. As his motto says: Miserando atque Eligendo – Lowly but Chosen.
