Pope Francis Transcends Barriers

by Letters Editor · August 8, 2013

From Fr Kevin Reynolds, Pretoria – Cardinal Walter Kasper’s comments in relation to Pope Francis that the classic European conservative progressive debate is a worn-out framework that has run its course is the key to understanding the pope’s magnetic appeal to people (July 24).

Pope Francis washes the foot of a prison inmate during the Holy Thursday Mass of the Lord’s Supper at Rome’s Casal del Marmo prison for minors March 28. Pope Francis washed the feet of 12 young people of different nationalities and faiths, including at l east two Muslims and two women, who are housed at the juvenile detention facility. (CNS photo/L’Osservatore Romano via Reuters)

To date, I guess, the best expression of this was Pope Francis visiting a Roman prison for his Holy Thursday evening Mass when he washed the feet of men and women, Christian and non-Christian alike.

Like Christ, there will be times when some people will stop going with Pope Francis when he says some hard things. That will happen, though only after people have listened to and considered his words.

The openness which Pope Francis creates in our minds and hearts is certainly a welcome breath of the Holy Spirit. In such an atmosphere our faith can be renewed and we can grow more generously in our love of God and one another.