A year ago today, March 13, 2014, former Archbishop of Buenos Aires, Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio , was named the 266th successor of St. Peter, taking the
name of Pope Francis I. He succeeds Pope Benedict XVI, who resigned on Feb. 28, 2013 citing a “lack of strength of mind and body” due to his advanced age.
Pope Francis began an immediate reform in the Catholic church, calling out hypocrisies, preaching love and equality, which gained him many new followers.
It all began once he was elected Pope. Instead of accepting his cardinals' congratulations while seated on the Papal throne, Francis received them standing,
reportedly an immediate sign of a changing approach to formalities at the Vatican. During his first appearance as pontiff on the balcony of Saint Peter's
Basilica, he wore a white cassock, not the red, ermine-trimmed mozzetta used by the previous Popes. He has definitely transformed the lavish Papal style, into a
simple and humble demeanor .
Not only have his actions inside and out of the Vatican have changed way people look at the Pope, becoming more approachable, but also his views and his opinions have shocked many, in a positive way. That’s why, to celebrate Pope Francis’ first anniversary at the Vatican,
we’ve gathered some of his best quotes.
“Human rights are not only violated by terrorism, repression or assassination, but also by unfair economic structures that creates huge inequalities.”
“Since many of you do not belong to the Catholic Church and others are non-believers, from the bottom of my heart I give this silent blessing to each and every
one of you, respecting the conscience of each one of you but knowing that each one of you is a child of God.”
“We have to work harder to develop a profound theology of women within the church. The feminine genius is needed wherever we make important decisions.”
“It is true that going out on to the street implies the risk of accidents happening, as they would to any ordinary man or woman. But if the church stays wrapped up in itself, it will age. And if I had to choose between a wounded church that goes out on to the streets and a sick, withdrawn church, I would definitely choose the first one.”
“Politics is a noble activity. We should revalue it, practice it with vocation and a dedication that requires testimony, martyrdom, that is to die for the common
good.”
“In our ecclesiastical region there are priests who don't baptize the children of single mothers because they weren't conceived in the sanctity of marriage. These are today's hypocrites. Those who clericalize the church. Those who separate the people of God from salvation.”
“We must restore hope to young people, help the old, be open to the future, spread love. Be poor among the poor. We need to include the excluded and preach peace.”
“If someone is gay and seeks the Lord with good will, who am I to judge? We shouldn't marginalize people for this. They must be integrated into society.”
“A person once asked me, in a provocative manner, if I approved of homosexuality. I replied with another question: 'Tell me: when God looks at a gay person, does he endorse the existence of this person with love, or reject and condemn this person?' We must always consider the person."
“I am a sinner. This is the most accurate definition. It is not a figure of speech, a literary genre. I am a sinner.”
“These days there is a lot of poverty in the world, and that's a scandal when we have so many riches and resources to give to everyone. We all have to think about how we can become a little poorer.”
“This is me, a sinner on whom the Lord has turned his gaze. And this is what I said when they asked me if I would accept my election as pontiff. I am a sinner, but I trust in the infinite mercy and patience of our Lord Jesus Christ, and I accept in a spirit of penance.”
“My choices, including those related to the day-to-day aspects of life, like the use of a modest car, are related to a spiritual discernment that responds to a need that
arises from looking at things, at people and from reading the signs of the times. Discernment in the Lord guides me in my way of governing.”
“There is a danger that threatens everyone in the church, all of us. The danger of worldliness. It leads us to vanity, arrogance and pride.”
“First of all, you ask me if the God of Christians forgives one who doesn't believe and doesn't seek the faith. Premise that - and it's the fundamental thing - the mercy of God has no limits if one turns to him with a sincere and contrite heart; the question for one
who doesn't believe in God lies in obeying one's conscience.”
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