World leaders can learn from admirable qualities of Pope Francis

 Jorge Bergoglio, better known as Pope Francis, hasn’t drastically changed church doctrine or unconditionally praised the developed world and church allies. However, the tone in which he delivers his message is wonderfully refreshing to a world in need of true leadership and progress.

The man 1.2 billion Catholics look to as their leader has made many headlines since his March 13, 2013, election to the papacy. Most notably, Francis has proclaimed the importance of acceptance and mercy. He has centered his mission on the welcoming of lost souls as opposed to the expulsion of them. What is more, he has opened the church to the lost, rather than limiting access exclusively to the already found. In his own words, Francis likens his vision of the church to a hospital.

When initiating care and healing, he said, “It is useless to ask a seriously injured person if he has high cholesterol and about the level of his blood sugars. You have to heal his wounds. Then we can talk about everything else.”

It is this approach that has left some more-orthodox Catholics unsettled. Despite Francis’ upholding of church doctrine regarding abortion and same-sex marriage, the bishop of Rome has shared his feelings about current approaches to these divisive issues.

In an interview released in September, the Pope said that the church has become too obsessed with certain issues such as abortion, homosexuality and contraception.

“The church has sometimes locked itself up in small things, in small-minded rules. … We have to find a new balance, otherwise even the moral edifice of the church is likely to fall like a house of cards, losing the freshness and fragrance of the gospel.”

Two in three American Catholics agree with him — including myself. It is not that we believe more abortions should be performed or moral depravity should be the spirit of the day. It is rather the means to obtain the ends that is the question. Francis and his followers understand that punishment does not set one free. Rather, grace and mercy are the divine liberators, and only through these benevolent qualities can a church and its members truly grow.

In regards to homosexuality, Francis has gone so far as to say, “Who am I to judge?”

Through this remark, the absolute sovereign of the Vatican City-state embodies the core of Catholicism — the love of others and the practice of the gospel. After all, even the pope is human, just like those he leads. Saint Peter’s successor leads by example, a quality worth praising no matter one’s views and beliefs.

Francis’ devotion to the poor has placed him into the ring of global economic dialogue. He speaks with genuine zeal in an era lacking sincerely passionate leaders. Francis has not hidden his frustration with regard to capitalism.

“How can it be that it is not a news item when an elderly homeless person dies of exposure, but it is news when the stock market loses two points?” he said. “Some people continue to defend trickle-down theories which assume that economic growth, encouraged by a free market, will inevitably succeed in bringing about greater justice and inclusiveness in the world. This  opinion … has never been confirmed by the facts.”

Thankfully though, Pope Francis is no Marxist. He is not advocating a dictatorship of the proletariat or a state-controlled economy, but simply and courageously acknowledging the undeniable reality that unfettered capitalism can often bring great inequity and negative results to the weak, those whom the church is sworn to protect. Consequently, it is his job to act not as an Ivy League economist but as a protector of the poor in a moral, not empirical, fashion.

Additionally, Francis represents pragmatic and bold leadership that is difficult to find in a world of gross polarization. Through his upholding of church doctrine but softened and welcoming demeanor, Francis has taught that not everything has to be all-or-nothing. One can be of faith but not a fanatic and one can advocate capitalism without avarice. The world needs more practical and effective moderates, and Pope Francis is proving to be exactly that.

Too often leaders are afraid to stand up for what is unpopular, but Pope Francis has done and continues to do just that. No matter one’s religious affiliation, political party or economic agenda, the bold and courageous leadership of the 266th pontiff is admirable and worthy of the world’s respect. One can only hope world leaders will be able to look past their prejudices, agendas and preconceived notions and follow the lead of Pope Francis — a truly admirable leader.

Write Matt at mrb111@pitt.edu.