Francis, a man who visited slums, cooked his own meals, rode public transportation, mingled with the simple sojourners on the roads of life, this lover of simplicity, has just been ranked by Forbes as the 4th most powerful person in the world. He falls just behind President Putin of Russia (in first place), President Obama (in second) and Xi Jinping of China (in third) – What an irony, don’t you think so?
Pope Francis rules over the world’s smallest country, at just 109 acres, with a population of roughly one thousand, but his influence goes well beyond those tiny borders. From the moment of his first appearance as pope, Francis assumed an attitude of simplicity, true humility and service, using his power to serve the poor. This new attitude has sparkled a renewed interest within Church circles and renewed faith and hope among the people – a breath of fresh air to men and women of other religious affiliations or with non-affiliation at all.
With his new approach, Francis has breathed a new energy into the Church and has shown us the face of true power – the power of compassion, perhaps the most important mission tasked to the Church. Over and over, Francis has reached out, in presence, word, gestures, phone calls – and through twitter – to over 3 million followers. His effort is to build bridges, overcoming the isolation and the temptation to exclude, by accepting the vulnerability of being nearer, more exposed, more dialogical with peoples of all ages, building empathy and compassion. He has revealed himself as a great communicator of the Gospel in images and experiences and someone accessible to ordinary people.
Forbes based its choice on four factors: the number of people a person influences, the financial resources he or she controls, the influence of the candidate across the world, and whether the person actively uses his or her power to change the world. No doubt, Francis occupies a position of power that makes billions stop and listen. He has influenced over 1 in 7 human beings on earth. However, it is his new style, attitude, and his compassionate heart that have won over millions. Even his critical approach to those who share power in the Church is far from being empty and reduced to mere harsh criticism. He wants that all of us may rediscover the power of humble but joyful service.
Isn’t this what the Christmas message is all about? God humbles Himself to pitch His tent among us, conquering our hearts with the power of His compassionate love? Yes, it is in the simplicity of that manger that the saving power of God draws near to us and is revealed to the nations. It stirred controversy among the leading Jews, even caused persecution and rejection, but it also inflamed the hearts of some men and women with the fire of God’s love which brought them to give witness to their joy before all. Thus, the Church was born, founded on this power that shone amidst the vulnerability of love. Jesus reminds us: “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them…but it is not this way with you… the one who is the greatest among you must become the least, and the leader, the servant”(Luke 22:25). What an irony? Maybe not. After all, it is the power of God that transforms human hearts and makes us powerful in His merciful love.
