Pope Francis’ visit to the United States has been an incredibly powerful beacon of hope for me and I hope for many others. In a world of what seems like a constant barrage of negative and scary noise, it was wonderful to be able to turn on the television and listen to the Pope humbly delivering a powerful message to our U.S. Congress.
I just happened to tune in as he started his speech. After listening to the beginning, he really grabbed me when he called America the home of the brave. He immediately got a standing ovation from a Congress that was asked not to applaud or stand up. I immediately stopped multi-tasking, set my email aside, and just listened intently to the Pope’s words.
Beyond any words, his energy was peaceful. He awakened in me a desire to do more, to be more active, and a wonderful feeling that we can all arise and do great things.
The Pope was trained as a chemist, so he doesn’t have a degree or doctorate in Theology. He rose from the streets of Argentina to become a world leader, speaking on a global stage at a time when we all need hope and inspiration.
No one can dispute his simple message of caring for nature and the poor, his desire to keep families strong, and his idea that small, kind gestures matter. He admonishes us never to judge others and always remember the golden rule.
But, that isn’t what makes this Pope so incredibly powerful to me. It is his reality, his authenticity. He is a fellow warrior in the good fight, someone who choses to take the path of getting things done—even when it is the dirt road of reality, rather than the safe, academic driven, scholarly sermon of past popes. This Pope has things to say. He has a mission. The Washington Post did a story of the paradox of his power here: The Paradox of Pope Francis’ Power
Now this is a Pope who is not going to go with the norm. No black limo for him, he would rather have a small Fiat. Lunch with the President? Nope, he would rather have lunch with criminals in a Philadelphia prison. Motorcade driven by security? Nope, he even had an official baby runner.
As all this unfolded, I reflected on my perception of the rocky state of the Catholic Church and how critically important this 78-year-old Argentinian is, with his different way of riding in a motorcade and different way of addressing complex issues like same sex marriage, immigration and abuse. He simply calls out the issues clearly and succinctly.
Which brings me to my ah-ha moment, and the single biggest gift that this Pope has given me, and that I want to share with you… And that is that he is ALIVE. He is alive with a spirit for change. He has a spirit that is inclusive. The fact that the Catholic Church, as an institution, has not taken the spirit out of him. The fact that 78 years hasn’t beat him down is a wonderful revelation.
I have reveled in his attitude, amazed that after all these years, he has a real “beating heart.” And that real beating heart gives him the ability to be vulnerable and humble. In fact, his power comes from this humility. Which is so much stronger and important than when power comes from ego and greed.
My question to you is, does your own leadership show these characteristics? Does your senior leadership or the CEO of your company exhibit the same qualities? Are you willing to break from the norm, willing to “kiss the accounting department,” make a statement to preserve nature, to hire and pay immigrants fairly?
My feeling is that corporate American needs to embrace this spirit. We need these “beating heart” qualities as much as Catholic America needs them.
How are you going to start implementing some of these qualities in your own personal life? Is your own spirit awakened with purpose, and a feeling of being alive? Are you being your real authentic self?
Thank you, Pope Francis, for reminding us to LIVE! Not just life as we were meant to live it, but to strive not to let any institution, organization or company tell us any differently.
Live On! —
AZ
