Anchorage Archbishop impressed by seeing pope’s courage

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Two things struck me as we U.S. bishops encountered Pope Francis twice on the same day in Washington, D.C.

The first was the excitement of so many different people regarding his visit. Even flight personnel on the plane traveling from Alaska were upbeat and spoke positively about it. The second issue that struck me was the intense security that surrounded the visit. It was clear that there was a great determination to keep His Holiness safe.

I saw Pope Francis on the eventful day of Sept. 23 in Washington, D.C. and marveled at his determination to be fully present to us. Here was a man just three years older than me. He clearly suffered limitations of his mobility but never let that stop his ministry. It made me feel that my own little aches and pains of growing older are nothing in comparison with what he was experiencing. At times he seemed very weary but continued on courageously.

I thought back on the popes I have known personally throughout my 25 years as a bishop. Pope Saint John Paul II exuded warmth as well as strength of character as he tirelessly carried out that mission of bringing Jesus Christ to the world. He truly became my mentor in ministry.

To me Pope Benedict XVI was given to the church to help us understand more deeply our faith in Jesus Christ. His talks and writings remain an inspiration and encourage me to teach our faith with understanding and clarity. His volumes on Jesus Christ I think are masterpieces.

Pope Francis has touched my heart and has affected a deeper sensitivity to honor our world and our brothers and sisters who suffer greatly on this beautiful earth. He has ignited an interest and enthusiasm regarding our Catholic faith that has drawn us out of the dark shadows of shame from the revelations of harm done to innocent young people by fellow ministers of the Gospel — people who, instead of serving and inspiring others, wounded them.

To me Pope Francis models the ministry of the servant shepherd who serves with integrity in the midst of the people whom he loves. He teaches each of us bishops the value of accessibility and of dialogue — especially with those from whom we are alienated or find difficult to understand. He teaches us how to live in fidelity to the Gospel and the truth which the church teaches, while doing so with pastoral sensitivity and upholding the dignity of each person.

I see Pope Francis as a person who lives and breathes Jesus Christ and who serves him courageously without fear of losing anything. He shows us that we can trust Mary the mother of Jesus to bring us closer to her son, while challenging us to be always mindful of her son’s little ones.

May God continue to protect and guide this courageous shepherd of the church and Bishop of Rome and help us all to learn from him.

The writer is archbishop of Anchorage.

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