As Catholics and the entire world continue to eulogize Pope Francis after his demise, we turn our eyes to one of the distinguishing qualities that marked the life of this fallen Roman pontiff.
Indeed, all people, irrespective of their religious beliefs and ideologies, can truly recognize the special touch that Francis had on the underprivileged. As head of the Catholic Church, Pope Francis in his entire pontificate, continuously expressed his love for those who are not well- positioned in as far as the aspect of living a better life is concerned.
Before becoming a pope, he was Jorge Mario Bergoglio and after becoming a pope, as the Catholic tradition has it, he chose the name Francis. This was the very first sign of his concern for the well-being of the poor.
He chose this name in honor of St. Francis of Assisi, a 13th century religious man whose love for the poor characterized his entire life. In his entire life as a pope, he has declined wearing elaborate clothing like red shoes or silk vestments, which are normally associated with popes.
This is another mark in his life that characterized a man who despised the idea of popes living a life that seemed luxurious. Probably, he might have forsaken things of that nature so that his life may reflect his closeness to those who are not privileged in the same way as other people.
It is remembered that he turned a beautiful 19th-century palace that would have commanded top dollar if it were a hotel, into a refuge for the homeless. Previously, this palace had been occupied by the Calasanziane order of religious women who vacated the building and relocated to another place.
After their departure, those in charge of taking care of this palace considered several options, one of the most prominent being turning it into a hotel.
These people assumed that such a hotel would produce generous amount of revenue given that the palace was in the Vatican; a place where numerous pilgrims and tourists frequently go for reasons of prayer and adventure.
Pope Francis’s intervention in the affairs of handling this palace led to transforming it into a shelter as opposed to the previous idea of transforming it into a hotel. Such a gesture of love extended to those in need.
It was not only an example to the religious circles but also to all people in the various fields of life who are charged with caring for the underprivileged population.
Another remarkable sign of his love and care for the poor was when he received a supercar as a gift from Lamborghini, but rather that enjoying the comfort it was capable of giving him, he handed the car over to Sotheby’s auctioneers who were to sell it and donate the money to charities helping vulnerable children and women in Africa, victims of human trafficking and Christians who were suffering persecution in Iraq.
This wasn’t the first time he had been gifted a luxurious vehicle. Before that, he had received a Harley Davidson motorbike and jacket, but auctioned both for the same cause of charity.
Such moments of showing the world what it means to love the underprivileged will always be remembered by all people of different walks of life. The deep care for the poor and marginalized that has been expressed by Pope Francis in his tenure as the Roman pontiff will remain in the hearts of many people.
By caring for the needy and advocating for their well-being, he has left an example of a religious man who truly lived in accordance with the gospel he preached.
Indeed, his actions toward the underprivileged, to a greater extent, resonated with the Christian call for embracing the poor with love.
The bible exhorts, “Defend the lowly and fatherless; render justice to the afflicted and needy. Rescue the lowly and poor; deliver them from the hands of the wicked” (Ps 82:3) I think Francis did his best in as far as living in accordance with that exhortation is concerned.
His various utterances on the wellbeing of the needy underscored the Catholic Church’s commitment to serving the most vulnerable members of society.
The church, therefore, will miss such a gifted man whose enthusiastic nature in matters pertaining to the poor, characterized his entire life. May the God whom he glorified through his selfless service to the needy, welcome him in eternal life (Mat 25:31-46)!
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