I cannot think of another Pope in my lifetime who so genuinely walked the walk of compassion, humanity and grace. Whether he is extending forgiveness to all women who have chosen to undergo abortions, responding to question regarding homosexuality by saying “who am I to judge,” extending heartfelt empathy to hundreds of Muslims killed in a stampede on their spiritual journey or pulling over on the side of the road to give his blessing to a disabled child, he is bravely and without hesitation extending his kindness to ALL human beings. He is modeling for all human beings of all races, religions, mindsets and beliefs or lack of beliefs, what it’s like to stand behind your beliefs without sitting in judgment of those who may go against them.
The fact that this utter compassion is coming from the leader of one of the traditionally most judgmental, rule-oriented and, some may say, hypocritical religions in our nation, is powerful to watch…and refreshing. Regardless of your religious beliefs, Pope Francis is showing the world how to act humanely, kindly and compassionately to our fellow human beings under all circumstances. In a world where so many of us struggle to be our authentic selves, Pope Francis is daringly stepping into the ring — as Brene Brown would say — and doing so in a big way. I can only imagine that by doing so he risks angering many traditional Catholics, Christians and those who anchor themselves on the far right. And yet he still unabashedly owns his truth and walks his walk.
At a time when so many of us attack one another for differing political, religious and social beliefs, Pope Francis is modeling for the world a great way to hold on to your beliefs while still holding in your heart and actions the humanity of those who think differently. When we are able to stay true to ourselves, without punishing those around us for living different values, having different beliefs or acting in ways that go against our grain, we have begun to grasp the spiritual principle that we are all created equal, we ALL matter and we are ALL intrinsically interconnected.
Hold onto your faith. Live your values. Be true to yourself. And do so while holding close to your heart the humanity of ALL human beings throughout the world who live differently from the way you would like or believe in. Stay out of the stories of those around you and live in your own. Extend kindness, empathy and compassion to the world and all human beings in it. It is not your place to condemn, judge or punish those who go against your beliefs. It is your job to live your beliefs, authentically step into your truth and to treat all of humanity with kindness and compassion. That is by far the greatest example you can ever set.
I have no doubt that Pope Francis’s bravery will lead some traditional followers of the Catholic Church to be greatly upset with the Pope’s leadership and may in fact lead some to leave it. I believe, however, that his bravery will also lead many who had turned away from the church to actually start turning their heads back in interest and perhaps turning entirely to walk toward a kinder spiritual base.
Challenge: Regardless of your religious orientation, I encourage you to walk the walk of kindness toward all human beings. Step out of another person’s story—it’s not yours to write. Focus on your own story and humanely walk your walk without condemning those who choose to walk differently.