A Personal Tribute to Pope Francis: A Leader, a Shepherd, and a Friend

Strategic Insights -

As an Indian who grew up in Kolkata, the passing of Pope Francis feels personal, and I am reminded of the qualities that made me, and many of us, want to identify with him. He was a reformist, an inclusive, compassionate, and football-loving Pope from the Global South, who spoke common sense on issues like Gaza and the Holy Land. His leadership, characterized by mercy and a progressive outlook, has left an indelible mark on the Catholic Church and the world.

Key Takeaways:

  • Pope Francis was the first Jesuit Pope, and his connection to the Jesuit order, a congregation of 15,000 members worldwide, had a significant impact on his leadership.
  • Father Jerome D'Souza, a Jesuit and a member of the Constituent Assembly, played a crucial role in framing the Constitution of India in 1946-1950, advocating for the rights of the underprivileged, minorities, and the economically challenged.
  • The writer had the opportunity to meet Reverend Dr. Arturo Sosa, the global head of the Jesuits, and Father Stan Swamy, who was languishing in state custody, was also a Jesuit.
  • Pope Francis's visit to India in 2016, where he led the celebration at St. Peter's Square in Vatican City, declaring Mother Teresa a saint, is a significant moment for the Indian Catholic community.
  • Cardinal Oswald Gracias of Mumbai praised Pope Francis's efforts to give women their rightful place in the Church and society, as well as his emphasis on allowing lay persons to have a role in the running and conducting of the Church.
  • Pope Francis's legacy, as captured in his words, will continue to guide the Church leadership in India and worldwide, inspiring them to take a more proactive role in addressing social and economic issues.

Statistics:

  • 15,000 members worldwide are part of the Jesuit order
  • 220 high schools and 52 university colleges in India are run by the Jesuits
  • Pope Francis's visit to India in 1999 was his first, and he had also visited Kolkata in February 1986
  • 30 years passed between Pope John Paul II's sermon in 1986 and Pope Francis's declaration of Mother Teresa as a saint in 2016
  • Mother Teresa was declared a saint on September 4, 2016, in a celebration at St. Peter's Square in Vatican City

Sources:

  • Article by Derek O'Brien, MP and leader of the All India Trinamool Congress Parliamentary Party (Rajya Sabha), originally published in IE Online Media Services Pvt. Ltd., distributed by Contify.com
  • Information about Father Jerome D'Souza's role in framing the Constitution of India
  • Details about Reverend Dr. Arturo Sosa and Father Stan Swamy's involvement with the Jesuit order
  • Quotes from Cardinal Oswald Gracias of Mumbai and Pope Francis's speeches and writings.