We still remember the first words the new Pope Francis spoke to the world from the Vatican window, “Pray for me, I am a sinner.” Later on, he has repeated these same words whenever he was asked some personal question. St. Ignatius was also acutely aware of his sinfulness. In 1552, as General, he had spoken about himself in similar words, “Actually considering dispassionately my many sins, imperfections and infirmities, it has often occurred to me that I have not the qualities necessary to bear the charge of the Society.” Man’s sinfulness, the need to repent, love for the poor and suffering world, have been the constant themes of most of the Pope’s homilies and encyclicals. In ‘Laudato Si’ he says, “I do not want to write this encyclical without turning to that attractive and compelling figure whose name I took as my guide and inspiration when I was elected the Bishop of Rome. I believe that St. Francis is the example par excellence of care for the vulnerable and integral ecology lived out joyfully and authentically.” – (LS 10).
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The author is presently associated with XISR, Digha Ghat, Patna.
