7 things we need from the new pope

Pope Leo XVI must be the face of Love the world needs to see

The smoked cleared and, voila!

The Conclave gave us the first American pope.

Robert Prevost of Chicago chose the name Pope Leo XVI, who was a champion of the working class, supported labor unions and promoted social justice.

I hope he will elevate the role of women in the church. Women hold up half of the world yet this church won’t allow us to receive all 7 sacraments.

This church I was baptized into 68 years ago has barely made room for women, yet if all the women in this church stopped participating in Mass and feeding priests and volunteering their time and giving their money, this church would fall to its knees.

In the movie “Conclave” which I’ve seen four times, a bishop urges, “Grant us a pope who doubts, who sins and asks for forgiveness.”

Amen. I hope the new pope possesses these 7 graces and will inspire the world to live them as well:

Humility.

We had a servant leader in Pope Francis, one who gladly washed the feet of women, Muslims, gay people, migrants and the marginalized people of the world.

The new pope must have the humility to face head on the dark side of this church, to truly examine deeply its mistakes and its crimes.

To reach out to all those who left, to all those who were abused, to apologize as often and as long as needed to bring about true healing. To make ongoing amends to the thousands of victims sexually abused by hundreds of men ordained to be priests and represent Christ among us. To release from duty every bishop who shuffled abusers around to hurt others and sent documents to Rome to protect the church’s coffers from lawsuits.

To clean house, once and for all, starting at the Vatican. Right the wrongs. All that money? After the church has paid all its victims, it’s time to give that money to the poor.

Mercy.

Jesus was all about second chances.

After Peter denied Jesus three times, Jesus didn’t throw him under the bus. He gave him the keys to the bus. He gave Peter the chance to make amends.

Jesus asked Peter three times, “Do you love me?” Each time Peter said yes, Jesus said, “Feed my sheep… Feed my lambs… Feed my sheep.”

The focus wasn’t on justice. It was on mercy.

Jesus didn’t insist on justice for the repentant thief hanging next to him on a cross. He offered mercy -- and the highest invitation of all: “Today you will be with me in paradise.”

Paradise! No purgatory. Just paradise.

Inclusivity.

That word is being abused and battered about these days, but only by those who want to close their hearts and wallets and churches and government and universities to those who have been excluded all along.

The Gospel of Matthew proclaimed: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Welcome everyone, as is. Make it easier, not harder. That’s what Love does.

Joy.

God is indeed a god of joy.

I treasure this line from Psalm 43:4 “And I will come to the altar of God, the God of my exceeding joy and delight.”

I pray this pope embraces the joy of the three women who were told of the resurrection. Yes, women were the first to learn of the risen Christ, not men.

Peace.

The world needs a voice to speak Truth to power in Russia for all those in Ukraine. To help foster a lasting peace in Israel and in Gaza. To bring about peace in every country at war and every country still recovering from the remnants of war.

A pope who offers that peace that surpasses all understanding.

Understanding.

Understanding begins with listening, not talking.

God is still speaking. We need this pope to listen.

God is still speaking and not just in the Bible or in Catholic dogma and documents and traditions and encyclicals and synods.

We need a pope who listens to God who is still speaking through the people in the pews. In the people who left the pews. In the people hurt by those priests. In women, who make up half of the world. In the protesters who seek justice. In gay people who want to be embraced and included.

In the Holy Spirit, whose gifts include wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety and awe of the Lord.

Love.

We need a pope who loves.

Father Joe Zubricky, a devout Jesuit and the holiest man I ever met, summed what matters most up in one question and in one word:

In the end, God will ask only one thing. Just one.

Did you love?

The above mosaics and the sculpture of the three women are at the Church of the Resurrection in Solon, Ohio. The quote attributed to Arrupe was actually from Jesuit Joseph Whelan. The Examen and poster photos are from the Jesuit Retreat Center in Parma, my spiritual home.