During the coronavirus pandemic, Pope Francis has called for conversion, creativity when loving others and care for the poor in his many addresses.
Austen Ivereigh, a Vatican journalist and papal expert, recently spoke with the pope about how he's living this period, as leader of the Roman Catholic Church.
CONVERSION
The pope is making good use of this time, says Ivereigh. He is praying more and reflecting on how he can better serve the people of God, both now and when the crisis finishes.
AUSTEN IVEREIGH
Vatican journalist
“I think Francis is living this crisis in a way, as he always does with everything, particularly with tribulation, which is discernment. In other words, how are we called to live at this time in order to be open to the grace of conversion, which is offered to us.”
Pope Francis is giving spiritual advice as pope, encouraging people not to despair or only draw into themselves, only seeing their own troubles. Instead, he invites people to pray more and to serve, saying those helping others are the real heroes of this time.
POPE FRANCIS
Divine Mercy Sunday
April 19, 2020
Let us not think only of our interests, our vested interests. Let us welcome this time of trial as an opportunity to prepare for a future for everyone, without discarding anybody. Because without an all-embracing vision, there will be no future for anyone.
The pope also spoke about this at the Urbi et Orbi blessing in March, when he reminded everyone that “nobody reaches salvation alone.” Pope Francis encouraged everyone saying, “Together, we can do this!”
CREATIVE
Pope Francis is also asking for creativity in a period marked with virtual calls and social distancing.
POPE FRANCIS
Even if we are isolated, thought and spirit can go far with the creativity of love. This is what we need today: the creativity of love. This is what is needed today: the creativity of love.
He has especially focused on reaching out to those who are alone, like the elderly or those more apt to despair.
AUSTEN IVEREIGH
Vatican Journalist
He also has a strong message to people to of course, obey the regulations and take precautions, don't do anything to spread the virus. But, on the other hand, you have to be close. You have to find ways of being close to those in need. This is especially true of the Church's pastors and home ministers. We have to find ways of walking alongside people, bringing God's consolation to people at this time.
Pope Francis leads by example with his own live-streamed Mass at 7 a.m. every morning from the Vatican. Likewise, parish priests around the world have followed suit and are making use of digital media for online Masses, adoration and virtual gatherings.
POOR
One of Pope Francis' main concerns during the pandemic is the poor. He prays for them often and has stepped up the work of the papal almoner, who is offering concrete help around Rome.
POPE FRANCIS
Urbi et Orbi
April 12, 2020
May these, the most vulnerable of our brothers and sisters living in the cities and peripheries of every part of the world, not be abandoned.
AUSTEN IVEREIGH
Vatican journalist
“What this virus is exposing is all those cracks in society, which normally we are able to ignore. We can't ignore them. The elderly in elderly care homes, absolutely devastated by this virus. The homeless, who have no home to go to. The people who are living so close to their neighbor in shanty towns, that the idea of social distancing is ridiculous. The people in the United States that are having their water cut off because they haven't paid their bills.”
Pope Francis is calling on global leaders to look at these forgotten members of society and all Christians to look outward instead of inward.
While these are difficult times and the upcoming months are uncertain, conversion, creativity and care for the poor, will lead to a future that is certainly better for all.
Melissa Butz
