Eric Reece
We have lost a good friend and the world has lost a great spiritual leader.
Pope Francis was the head of the Roman Catholic Church, overseeing over 1.4 billion members from his election in 2013 until his death April 21 – the day after Easter.
Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina – and of Italian parents – he was the first Jesuit, the first from the Americas and Southern Hemisphere and the first born outside of Europe to be Pope in 13 centuries. An unlikely candidate, it was a surprise when he was elected.
He did not seek the office; the office sought him.
He came to leadership at a difficult time, with the church still rocked by child sexual abuse scandals and a troubled financial mess. He worked tirelessly to reach out to groups outside the church and often reminded us it is not for us to judge. He sought to reconcile with Protestant, Orthodox and people of other religious faiths.
A pastor to the people, he was a champion of the poor. From his early days in Buenos Aires, he followed the way of Christ by washing the feet of others in jails, hospitals, nursing homes and the poor on Holy Thursday – the night Jesus washed the disciples' feet.
It was this night Jesus gave a new commandment, “That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.”
Francis lived this commandment and expected the church to follow.
Argentinian Pastor Alejandro Rodríguez referred to Pope Francis as "A pastor with the smell of sheep," because he was always among the people and ministering to the less fortunate. Progressive, he spoke on the dangers of climate change, worked to end conflicts, called for peace among nations, asked for people to be treated humanely and asked for forgiveness for the Catholic Church's past sins.
My great-grandfather was a Waldesian whose family settled with others in the area that became Valdese. The Waldesians – early Protestants – were led by Peter Waldo of Lyons in the 12th century. He worked to preach the Gospel and make the Bible available to all. They believed you did not need a priest to interpret the scriptures.
Declared heretics by the Catholic Church, they suffered persecution and in 1487, Pope Innocent VIII ordered them exterminated.
In 1655, Catholic soldiers massacred over 1,700 men, women and children. Survivors moved to Switzerland until they were able to return to their homeland, which is celebrated each year as the "Glorious Return."
In 2015 Pope Francis said to the Waldensians, "On behalf of the Catholic Church, I ask forgiveness for the un-Christian and even inhumane positions and actions taken against you historically. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, forgive us!"
Pope Francis was a devoted soccer fan of the local Argentinian club. He enjoyed drinking Yerba Mate, a traditional Argentine drink similar to coffee or tea.
His pastoral ministry will be remembered for his humility and simplicity. Throughout his ministry at the end of services and meetings he would humbly ask, ‘Please, Pray for me.'”
Pope Francis, please pray for us all.
Eric Reece is the faith columnist for The Graham Star. He is pastor of Robbinsville United Methodist Church and can be reached via email, ereece@wnccumc.net.