Reflections on Pope’s First year

For the first anniversary of the conclave of cardinals that elected Pope Francis, the community of the Pontifical North American College paused to reflect on the past year. On Wednesday, March 12, Edwin Cardinal O’Brien, Grand Master of the Equestion Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem, and Greg Burke, Senior Communications Consultant for the Vatican Secretariat of State, presented their thoughts on the themes of Francis’s papacy.

Cardinal O’Brien described Pope Francis’s initiatives by focusing on three words: solidarity, synody, and subsidiarity. Pope Francis, he said, has brought solidarity with the poor to the forefront of the discussion. He has emphasized the importance of working together, gathering opinions, listening, and collaboration. “He wants to hear, and he is open to hearing,” noted Cardinal O’Brien.” Finally, Pope Francis has encouraged problem solving on the local level.

Burke drew attention to Francis’s emphasis on God’s mercy, love, and forgiveness. Having worked as a correspondent for Fox News before assuming his current position in the Vatican, Burke spoke of the need to get the pope’s message out, especially when media outlets usually report only a small portion of Pope Francis’s often very inspiring statements.

After the two brief presentations, the seminarians and priests of the College had the opportunity to ask questions and converse with them, a unique opportunity to draw closer to the mind of the Holy Father.