Catholic Identity & Mission News

Pope Francis

This Monday marks the tenth anniversary of the Papal election of Cardinal Jorge Bergolio, who then took the name Pope Francis. From the moment he was elected as the leader of the Catholic Church, Pope Francis did things differently – he declined wearing some of the ornate garments of the Pope, elected to live in more modest accommodation at the Vatican, and stated his preference to use public transport and less luxurious cars (you may remember his official ‘Fiat’ car on his USA tour?!). 

He has been a very well-travelled Pope, often selecting places of political unrest or violence to visit so as to spread the message of God’s love and peace. By doing so, he also brings media attention to these places, increasing the coverage of human rights issues. He usually travels on the same plane as media representatives and has made a habit of holding press conferences and Q&A sessions with the media enroute. He is praised by many as a very accessible and inclusive Pope, speaking with and treating all with respect. As his own health fails and he requires the use of a wheelchair, he humbly acknowledges that he is not spared health challenges and that he wants to be a living example of the dignity of all human life. 

Over the past two years at the College, we shared a Pope Francis ‘Tweet of the Week’ on our SPACE bulletin so they could be a point of conversation and discussion and despite these not being a regular feature this year, his presence still looms large over the College. His calls for peace, including in Ukraine, are echoed here at school as are his repeated calls for justice for the environment as he taught in his encyclical ‘Laudato Si’. As a multi-cultural / multi-faith (pluralist) school, his example as a non-sectarian Christian Pope is a powerful one. One of his key messages is that ‘all are welcome’.

Pope Francis’ lived example over the past ten years has been dialogue and recontextualisation in practice! He has been tireless in his efforts for inter-religious dialogue and in teaching and demonstrating that Jesus isn’t ‘out of date’! It may be 2000 years since the birth of Jesus and the world may have radically changed but Pope Francis shows us how happy and blessed we will be when we live as God wants us to. He lives simply, with low ego and joy. He puts others before himself and speaks out for the voiceless and those victimised by war. He is a role model for us all because he is vulnerable and prepared to show that he is too. 

Pope Francis is a perfect role model for our whole school community and we give thanks for his ten years of Papal leadership. His advice, that we use around the College during Lent, urges us to live the Gospel faithfully here in Cranbourne! We don’t have to be in Palestine 2000 years ago, or Rome today to be ‘holy’ or ‘Christian’ – the Gospel belongs everywhere and for everyone. Let us ‘Let our lights shine’ like Pope Francis and follow his advice (again) this Lent:

Fiona McKenna

Deputy Principal - Catholic Identity & Mission