Pope Francis a light unto the world

There is no doubt in my mind that PopeFrancis will mark a new beginning for the Catholic Church. Whatever awaits him in the near future regarding the churches alleged irregularities, he restores confidence in the people, that he will not be compromised or dissuaded from his spiritual beliefs. He is a man that demonstrates the compassion of Christ. He shows reverence for ordinary people. It appears he is not a pious man but a humble one. It’s my impression that he truly believes he is guided from above. This should make him a good Pope. Being the first Pope from South America, his appointment will give hope to thousands of people in Argentina as well as the rest of the Hispanic world. He truly has lived his life being a servant to his people in Argentina. He demonstrates all the qualities of a humble man being selected by the universal or God Almighty to focus on the chaos that is taking place in the rest of the world. In his mass today he asked the people of the world to do him a favor. “I want you to walk together and to take care of each other”. This echoes a direction made by the Hindu Avatar Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba before his passing on Apr 24, 2011 in which he asked his followers to “take care of one another”. Spiritual leaders of different faiths but the same message of hope.

Europe is currently in a financial crisis. This past weekend the country Cyprus has reportedly seized 10% of its bank’s depositors Money, in order to guarantee a bailout of the country’s financial situation. Although the European banks were supposed to guarantee €100,000 for each depositor, seizing depositors money and keeping the banks closed until Thursday, is surely going to cause something at the Cyprus banks perhaps even a run on its banks as depositors fearing more losses may want their money back. One Swiss banker once said to me “We are not our brother’s keeper – we are his banker”

Italy Spain Portugal and Ireland are the weak links in the European Union financially speaking. I once had a dream that the five largest banks in Spain were in trouble after the bailouts occurred in Spain a year or so ago. I am concerned for the financial welfare of my friends in Spain. I can’t help wondering what is going to happen in Cyprus on Thursday when the banks open for business, and what might happen to the banks in Italy and Spain.

Add to this Argentina’s president, Cristina Kirchner, has approached the new Pope on Monday to intervene in the Falklands Islands dispute with Great Britain. It appears she would like the good Shepherd to use his new office to resolve ownership of these islands that were recently the focus of all of war. As Pope Francis begins his role as the good Shepherd of the church in the days to come, he will deal with many of the world’s problems. This might be expected as the Vatican has historically been involved in world affairs. But the church has its own problems.

There has been a growing dimness that has come over the Vatican in recent times. These problems some would speculate are the reason Pope Benedict XVI officially resigned on Feb 28 2013. The first Pope to resign in over 600 years.

It has been reported in the press Pope Frances  will be presented with a 300+ page report regarding, questionable conduct of members and Clergy of the church including…. the Vatican Bank.

This is a time of extremes which might even be called a time of chaos. Certainly Pope Francis, will be going through turbulent times as he assumes his stewardship of the Church. But I intuitively feel this man will have all the skills to grow the church and instill trust in the hearts and minds of the faithful. I believe he will also have skills to deal with the politicians, the bankers, and the not so innocent who have cast a shadow on the church.  I believe Pope Frances in his long life of service has demonstrated his true nature as a follower of Francis of Assisi. In his installation Mass on Tuesday he promised to serve “the poorest, the weakest, the least important,” Challenging world leaders to protect human life and the environment and use kindness and compassion to inspire hope to their peoples

May Pope Frances path be guided from above May Angles watch over him. May he be a beacon of hope to the world.

By Douglas James Cottrell Phd