Pope Francis Revolutionizes Traditional Papacy

The New Yorker: http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/newsdesk/2013/07/who-am-i-to-judge-francis-redefines-the-papacy.html

     In a traditionally stiff and pretentious papacy, Pope Francis has managed to change everyone's view on the esteemed position with his more laid-back and relaxed way of leading. Aboard the papal airplane returning from his first international trip to Brazil, Francis's comments about homosexuals greatly changed the opinion that many have of the usually intolerant papacy. He said, of other homosexual priests, that “If they accept the Lord and have good will, who am I to judge them?” he said. “They shouldn’t be marginalized.… They’re our brothers.”

     Not only his comments, but rather his entire papacy to date has strayed far from the usual path that his predecessors have taken in leading the Roman Church. While his position as sovereign of the Vatican City holds innumerable perks and benefits, Francis has utilized hardly any of them. Preferring to live in a modest guest house rather than the large papal apartments inhabited by past popes, Francis shows that he not only embraces simplicity, but believes himself to be equal to the millions that follow the religion he heads.

     While not religious myself, it's indubitable that the new sovereign's actions have garnered attention from people worldwide. From his much publicized election to current actions, Francis's action have been observed by millions. The Pope's actions at diverging from the traditional form of the papacy ushers in a much needed change in what I believe to be an often  troubled rule. Dating back to nearly the beginning of the millennium, the papacy has often been harsh in its critique and animadversion of controversial topics such as homosexuality and abortion. With the rule of Francis, the entire system is likely to become more tolerant and accepting of differences.

     The Catholic Church may soon find itself with a more relaxed set of policies. Francis seems to truly strive for more openness and tolerance within the church. Despite centuries of predecessors steadfast and stubborn in their stance, Francis is likely to alter the beliefs and rules of the Roman Church. Francis symbolizes a new type of pope; one that will be eager to embrace all into the faith of God, regardless of differences or supposed wrongs.