Remembering Pope Francis
Sharing quotes from His Holiness, and some personal thoughts
Back in December 2023, my husband and I were discussing Pope Francis. He was making waves, and I was there for it! I still am. At the time, the Vatican had just announced that Pope Francis had approved priests blessing “same-sex couples.”
My husband was of the mind that it wasn’t enough, and I agreed. Here’s what I had to say:
A few years ago, Pope Francis made a comment about the gay community. I can’t remember exactly what it was, but it caused waves. Now the waves have died down, and he’s made this announcement. For many, it’s just a follow through on what he said earlier. They aren’t as upset about it.
Think about the Church, the whole Church, not just the Catholic church because Protestant Christians, even if they don’t follow the Pope, they tend to listen when something big is said.
Let’s say that the Church is like an enormous ship. If I’m steering a huge ship, the last thing I want to do is crank the wheel all the way to one side. It would capsize. The best way to steer a ship, like one the size of the Church, is to do it a degree at a time. A couple years ago, Pope Francis turned the Church one degree, when he made a comment about the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. Now he’s turning it another degree, by making this announcement. In time, he’ll make another one, and another one, but he can’t do it all at once.
When I did a bit of research, I found that he actually started the conversation back in 2013, with a simple question,
“If a person is gay and seeks God and has goodwill, who am I to judge him?” he asked reporters in 2013. “Who am I to judge?”1
I’ll be honest, I’ve never really followed the Papacy. As a product of the Reformation, the Pope doesn’t have a huge bearing on my life, but Pope Francis was someone I respected, and admired. It really seemed like he wanted to bring about change. I’m sad to see that those extra one degree turns I predicted won’t be seen.
In honour of His Holiness, I searched for some quotes from Pope Francis, and I wanted to share some of my favourites, because I really believe that the world has lost someone very special. I hope, and yes pray, that his successor will be as forward thinking as he was.
He spoke about immigration & the “other”
Having doubts and fears is not a sin... The sin is to allow these fears to determine our responses, to limit our choices, to compromise respect and generosity, to feed hostility and rejection... The sin is to refuse to encounter the other, the different, the neighbor, when this is in fact a privileged opportunity to encounter the Lord ... to overcome our fears so as to encounter the other, to welcome, to know and to acknowledge him or her.
I recently heard a news broadcast (not sure which one) sharing how the Pope spoke out against the treatment of immigrants in the US at the hands of the Trump administration. I remember thinking, “Wow! That’s amazing!” In a time when some may stay silent, the Pope chose to speak up.
He shared about the redemption of all
The Lord has redeemed all of us, all of us, with the Blood of Christ, all of us, not just Catholics. Everyone! ‘Father, the atheists?’ Even the atheists. Everyone! We must meet one another doing good. ‘But I don’t believe, Father, I am an atheist!’ But do good: we will meet one another there.
Right now, it seems like the lines are being drawn between who’s “in” and who’s “out,” Pope Francis reminded us that God has redeemed everyone. This is great news for someone who’s struggling with the teachings they may have experienced in the conservative Evangelical church. “Do good: we will meet one another there.”
He recognized the need for change
It is not necessary to believe in God to be a good person. In a way, the traditional notion of God is outdated. One can be spiritual but not religious. It is not necessary to go to church and give money — for many, nature can be a church. Some of the best people in history do not believe in God, while some of the worst deeds were done in His name.
In a time when there is this push against the “spiritual but not religious” mindset, Pope Francis embraced it. I love how this quote shares that nature can be a church. I find that one place I faithfully meet God, and embrace my spirituality as well as myself, is in nature. There is always something wonderful to see.
He was concerned for the environment
As stewards of God's creation, we are called to make the earth a beautiful garden for the human family. When we destroy our forests, ravage our soil and pollute our seas, we betray that noble calling.
When I went looking through the different quotes of Pope Francis, I was surprised at how candid he was when he spoke about the environment. He really didn’t pull any punches when it came to how we treat the Earth. This is one of his more tame quotes, but it conveys the importance of stewarding well. Something we haven’t really been doing.
Finally, there’s this little tidbit of wisdom…
Where there is truth, there is also light, but don’t confuse light with the flash.
I’m not sure what the context for this quote was, but I think it may go up on my wall. How often do we chase the flash? I know I’m guilty of it.
Looking for more quotes, check out these websites:
Jesuit Resource - Pope Francis Quotes
Woman's World - 50 Inspiring Pope Francis Quotes on Hope, Faith, and Change
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https://www.nbcnews.com/nbc-out/out-news/pope-francis-created-seismic-shift-acceptance-lgbtq-catholics-say-rcna202113