Here are some of the main goals Pope Francis has set out for his church, highlighted during his visit to the hilltop town of Assisi, whose native son has inspired his papacy:
A church that is “poor and for the poor”: Francis had lunch with a group of poor at a soup kitchen after demanding that the faithful “strip” themselves of their worldly attachment to wealth, which he said is killing the church and its souls. He delivered that exhortation during the most evocative stop of the day, in the simple room where St. Francis stripped off his clothes, renounced his wealth and vowed to live a life of poverty. Since becoming pope in March, Francis has made it clear that one of his principal objectives is a church that is humble, looks out for the poorest and brings them hope. The “slum pope,” as he is known because of his work in Argentina’s shantytowns, recently denounced the “idolatry” of money and encouraged those without the “dignity” of work.
A church that welcomes and doesn’t judge: Francis’ first stop in Assisi was to an institute that cares for gravely disabled children, who in the words of the director are often seen as “stones cast aside,” invisible and neglected by the world. Francis caressed and kissed each child, saying their “scars need to be recognized and listened to.” It was part of the simple message of love that he has brought to others often considered outcasts, such as drug addicts and convicts. His “who am I to judge?” comment about gays over the summer was another reflection of this message of merciful welcome. It represented a radical shift in tone for the Vatican. Catholic teaching holds that all people should be treated with dignity and respect, so Francis was making no change in doctrine. But church teaching also holds that gay acts are “intrinsically disordered” — a point Francis has neglected to emphasize in favor of a message of inclusion.
A feminine church: Francis has called for a greater role for women in the governance of the church, while ruling out female ordination. He says the church itself is female, that Jesus Christ was married to the church and that Mary is more important than all the apostles. On Friday, Francis paid special attention to the women of the church, visiting the cloistered Sisters of St. Clare, an order founded by one of St. Francis’ followers. In the Basilica of St. Clare, Pope Francis told the nuns that they must be mothers to the church and be joyful. “It makes me sad when I find sisters who aren’t joyful,” he lamented. “They might smile, but with just a smile they could be flight attendants!” He showed that same sense of humor later when he told a story about a mother who lamented that her 30-year-old son still hadn’t gotten married — a reference to a generation of Italian men who seem unwilling to move out: “Signora,” Francis recalled telling her. “Stop ironing his shirts!”
