Pope Francis The Contradictory Pontiff By Peggy Bowes

What’s in a Name?

When Cardinal Bergoglio received the votes needed to become the next pope, his friend Cardinal Claudio Hummes of Sao Paolo, embraced him and said, “Don’t forget about the poor.”

Pope Francis later recalled, “Immediately with the thought of the poor, I thought of St. Francis of Assisi… Francis, the man of peace. That was how the name came into my heart. And for me, the man of poverty, the man of peace, the man who loves and guards creation-- at this time that we have a relationship with creation that is not very good, right? And the man who gives us this spirit of peace, the poor man. How I would like a Church that is poor and for the poor!”

Catholics were quick to recall a message from God received by the pope’s namesake saint at San Damiano: “Francis, go, rebuild my house, which as you see is in ruins.”

Don’t Fly For Me, Argentina

Upon learning that a large contingent of his fellow Argentinians planned to fly to Rome for his inaugural Mass, Pope Francis passed on these surprising instructions, “Tell the bishops to tell the people not to come. It’s too expensive. Use the money you would have spent on travel to help the poor.”

Yet the pope did not forget the people of his homeland. He placed a call to the cellphone of one of his aides in Buenos Aires, which was broadcast to the crowd gathered to watch the Mass.

“Dear sons and daughters, I know you have gathered in the square. I know that you are saying prayers, I need them very much. It is beautiful to pray because we look to heaven and know that we have a good father who is God."

We Have Never Seen Anything Like This!

Back in Rome, as he is being driven to St. Peter’s Square, Pope Francis creates yet another sensation by stopping to bless a disabled man. He plans to celebrate the Holy Thursday Mass at a juvenile detention center. The newest pontiff continues to surprise people, just as Christ did.

In the gospel accounts, the words “astonish” and “amaze” are frequently used to describe the reactions to Jesus’ words and actions. After Jesus cured a paralytic in Capernaum, the people “were all astounded and glorified God, saying, ‘We have never seen anything like this.’” (Mark 2:12)

Perhaps Cardinal Timothy Dolan said it best when referring to the mission of the conclave who elected Pope Francis, “You look for a man who reminds you of Jesus.”