UK Cardinal: The reason for Pope Francis' remarkable
energy
(Vatican Radio) Three
years ago this Sunday (March 13th) Pope Francis, the former Cardinal Jorge
Bergoglio from Argentina, stepped out onto the balcony of the Vatican Basilica.
His election stunned the world.
Not only was he the first
Pope from Latin America, he was also the first Jesuit Pope and the first ever
to take the name of Francis.
Cardinal Vincent Nichols,
Archbishop of Westminster, is the head of the Catholic Church in England and
Wales and Susy Hodges asked him to reflect on this papal anniversary and
analyse the impact of Pope Francis’ papacy on the Church and review some of the
highlights of these past three years.
Cardinal Nichols said that
for him one surprising thing about Pope Francis is his “remarkable energy, his
vibrant presentation of the gospel” and his “ability to maintain a very full,
personal and heartfelt presence.” He said he believes the reason for this
energy this can be found in the Pope’s deep relationship with the Lord.
“Nothing else could give a
man of his age the kind of vitality and freshness that he’s sustained over
these past three years.”
Cardinal Nichols goes on to
describe how the Pope Francis’ fidelity to the Lord and his message, together
with his concern for people, “especially those on the margins of society,” is
what “captures and enthralls the world.”
“Not a reformation of the
papacy”
When asked about ways in
which Pope Francis has changed the papacy, Cardinal Nichols cautions that “this
is not a reformation of the papacy” as some would have us believe. He said
there’s a “great continuity among the Popes, along with “a freshness” and “difference”
with each new incumbent.
Turning to the question of
what challenges face the Church, the English cardinal singled out the Pope’s
desire to “galvanise” the Church around this Jubilee Year of Mercy, describing
this as “an enduring challenge” to make the theme of mercy “a real central
characteristic of Catholic life.”
“That’s the biggest challenge
he sets us,” said Cardinal Nichols.
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