10 Years of Francis: Compassion and Tenderness
Fr. Martin Ngo, SJ is a member of the US West Province in the United States. Here is today’s personal reflection in our “10 Years of Francis” series.
Shaking Pope Francis’ hand, I am most struck by his tenderness in action.
Rewind.
It was the summer of 2019 and I was interning for the office of communications at the Jesuit Curia in Rome. One afternoon, word got around that there would be a low-key papal visit. Needless to say, nothing papal is low-key. Fast-forward, my Jesuit boss for the summer and I are armed with DSLRs awaiting our Jesuit brother turned global Church leader arrive at the community’s rendezvous point to cover a two-hour visit. I’m already about to sweat bullets. Pope Francis arrives, emerges from the security car - snap, snap, snap, snap - but then, we stop. The Holy Father is looking directly at us. He is walking toward us. I look at my Jesuit supervisor like, “What do we do?!” to which the natural response was, “Greet him.” Lol. With a gentle look and a warm smile to match his handshake, he acknowledged everyone present. He acknowledges everyone with tenderness. This comes from a core of deep compassion for others and the world we live in.
A man dedicated to care for creation, serving the marginalized and vulnerable, Pope Francis has spoken out against ecological injustice, poverty, inequality, and discrimination, and has urged people to put aside their differences and work together for the common good. Sure, like many, I have strong feelings about the current milieu surrounding certain issues in our Church - the role of women in the Church, the welcoming of LGBTQ communities. Still, I live in the hope of our leader’s continued commitment to dialogue and reconciliation, imperfect as our Church may be.
Thank you, Pope Francis for holding up the banner of Christ in the way that you have been called. We will continue to pray for you just as you asked us to in your first day on the job behind a balcony over St. Peter’s Square.
10 Years of Francis: Reflections from his Jesuit Brothers
10 Years of Francis: He is my pope too
10 Years of Francis: Vocation Inspiration
10 Years of Francis: MAGIS
10 Years of Francis: Inviting us to be adult disciples
10 Years of Francis: “Padre Jorge”
Conversion. Atonement. Forgiveness. Election.
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Let us pray that the dignity and worth of women be recognized in every culture, and for an end to the discrimination they face in various parts of the world.
Let us pray that those who risk their lives for the Gospel in various parts of the world might imbue the Church with their courage and missionary drive.
Let us pray that the sick who are in the final stages of life, and their families, receive the necessary medical and human care and accompaniment.
Let us pray that the Spirit help us recognize the gift of different charisms within the Christian community, and to discover the richness of different ritual traditions in the heart of the Catholic Church.
Let us pray that people with disabilities may be at the center of attention in society, and that institutions offer inclusion programs that enhance their active participation.
Let us pray for the Pope, so that in the exercise of his mission, he may continue to accompany in the faith the flock entrusted to him by Jesus, always with the help of the Holy Spirit.
