Papa

April 22nd, 2025

The Roman Catholic Church is unique among our planet’s religions in that it has one person running the institution. This person, the Pope, is the leader of approximately 1.4 billion coreligionists. He is both a symbol of the Church’s unity and a lightning rod. This man has enormous influence around the world while also being a servant to all. He is a mere mortal representing Christ, God incarnate. He is both priest and prophet. The role of a pope is paradoxical. It is amazing to me that anybody can do the job, or that they would even want to do it.

Now, the Church is without a pope. We are in a period of transition, and we are praying that the new shepherd will be able to lead this unruly flock.

Over the last several decades, the Church has had a pretty good luck with its leaders. Popes Francis, Benedict, John Paul II, Paul VI, and John XXIII were all good men. They had their flaws, but they were far better than some others in the Church’s long history. Even cursory reading of the Catholic Church’s past makes it clear that there have been some truly terrible popes. Yet, the Church has survived and sometimes thrived.

I had a good friend who was well-read and knew quite a bit about church history. He told me something once. I think he was quoting Lord Chesterton, but I’m not sure. In any case, my friend said,

“I am convinced that the Church is under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. No institution run by such fools and knaves would have lasted two weeks, much less two millennia, without it!”

True. There will soon be another conclave, and we will find out if the Holy Spirit will show any interest. If only human beings are involved, the potential for disaster will be high.

I have met saints. I’m sure of it. Saints have certain characteristics. They are notoriously hard to get along with, partly because they don’t follow societal norms, and partly because they never do things by half measures. They tend to be humble, honest, and occasionally bat shit crazy. They may get angry when they see injustice, but they don’t hold grudges. Somehow, they are able to see Christ or Buddha or some other aspect of the Devine in other people, and they act accordingly. They love God, and they love the person who embodies God. They can love even the seemingly unlovable. They are generally anonymous, but their small acts of compassion keep humanity from self-destruction.

I think it is hard for a pope to be a saint. Power is a great temptation. How can a person be humble when over a billion people look up to them?

This brings me back to Pope Francis. Was he a saint? I don’t know. He managed to upset many people, both traditionalists and reformers. He disappointed those who hoped he would allow women to be deacons or allow priests to marry. He likewise failed to satisfy the needs of the persons wounded by the clergy sex abuse. Pope Francis infuriated the members of the Church who wanted to turn back the clock to some half-remembered golden age before Vatican II. He was controversial. To my mind, anybody who can offend people on both ends of the spectrum is probably doing something right.

Pope Francis loved. Like his namesake, he cared for the poor and marginalized. He spoke out for justice. He showed people, both Catholics and members of other traditions, what sacrificial love looks like. He did his job imperfectly, but that’s because he was only human. He was one of us, and he demonstrated that emulating Christ was possible for anyone. We can do it too.