24 Apr Meet Pope Francis
Among the accomplishments of the American constitution is the allowance it makes for religious freedom. Anyone can find proof of that provision by the numerous church steeples that dot this land, from San Francisco to D.C. It’s a remarkable thing to see differing faiths thriving peaceably in the same place when one considers the religious tensions present in many other parts of the world.
We foster respect among alternate ways of looking at the world by becoming familiar with what other people believe because the American people collectively represent a variety of church groups. As we get to know each other, we degrade boundaries and cultivate friendship in its place. Nowadays, Christianity remains the reigning religious view in the United States, with the biggest portion of that group coming from the Roman Catholic Church. Speaking to this idea of respect, Pope Francis, the church’s leader, expressed:
“Dialogue is born from an attitude of respect for the other person, from a conviction that the other person has something good to say. In order to dialogue, it is necessary to know how to lower the defenses, open the doors of the house, and offer human warmth.”
Francis is a person who has lived this approach, encouraging outreach to those on the periphery– both in terms of other faiths, along with those who are often overlooked by society, including the underprivileged and poor. All through his years as a religious leader, he has demonstrated a disposition to accompany those of other religions to enhance each other, including offering support to Jews, Muslims, and other factions of Christianity, too.
As pope, he has shown a bend toward simplicity through choosing not to live in the papal apartment at the Vatican, and continuing to wear the cross he wore as an archbishop instead of the gold cross that was worn by popes that went before him. When he became the Archbishop of Argentina, the residence of the archbishop had blankets and food inside, and he took those things and gave them to people who needed them.
While working with in that same position, he also surprised people because he answered his own number instead of having someone else vet calls for him. Furthermore, he opted to use public transportation because it made it possible for him to communicate with people and see life through their lens. As he has said, “You don’t call the people to the churches; you need to be where the people are.”
Born in Argentina, he speaks many languages aside from his native Spanish. He has an ideal love for the tango and for soccer (as most Argentinians do!). He was raised by his grandmother, and opted to pursue the holy life after having an experience that modified him when he went in for confession as a youth.
He has frequently focused on themes of service, faith, love, reaching out to the poverty-stricken and less privileged, protecting life, and the importance of marriage. He has reminded us that “when we forget our sisters and brothers who are enduring, we are sowing a seed of violence.” And, in a world that seems perpetually prioritized getting ahead at all costs, he offers this soft reminder: “Let us always remember that authentic power is service.” Francis is an example of one dedicated to his beliefs and committed to letting those beliefs affect his behaviors in everyday life.
Because group transportation is the name of our game, our aim is to get our passengers from Point A to Point B properly, without compromising on comfort or convenience. Folks often think that motorcoaches are only for tour groups, but that’s not so! We love partnering with faith groups of all denominations and would love to assist facilitate your next congregational activity. Contact us today and let one of our friendly specialists modify a transportation plan to meet your precise needs!
( The relevant information for this article hailed from the following sources: