By Father Francis Sunil Rosario

POPE FRANCIS HAS led the Church for the last five years, smelling his sheep throughout the world. He has been sensitive to the pastoral needs of his flock, showing deep concern for the poor and the marginalized.

His election on March 13, 2013 has been a turning point for the Church, a departure from bureaucracy to a people-centered Church. His pontificate came at a crucial time when the Church was passing through some deep crises. For him, the Church is a “field hospital,” where the wounded victims of injustice and racism, many discriminations and disparities, are his prime focus.

Since Jorge Mario Bergoglio, S.J. emerged on the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica as Pope Francis, every day seems to have brought an astonishing new development. He chose the name for St. Francis of Assisi, whose poverty and love of the poor, of peace and of all creation, make him a beloved icon. St. Francis rebuilt a crumbling church and inspired great reforms.

Pope Francis described himself as being “from the end of the world.” For the first time in the history of the Church, a Jesuit became pope. He had been a leading proponent of a somewhat daring “popular theology” in Argentina, and also made unorthodox moves around interreligious dialogue and Church traditions that sometimes puzzled outsiders. He was the champion and staunch advocate of the poor, the downtrodden and the oppressed.

The teachings of Vatican II and the rich heritage of social teachings are his think tank. They are no longer a ‘well-kept secret,’ but he tries to translate them into real action through his pastoral life, leadership and ministry. Living in the presence of God 24/7, and caring for those victimized by various forces, have remained his style of servant leadership, emphasizing a different dimension to the pontificate.

His message for world peace this year has focused on the problems of immigrants and refugees. This has been a true hallmark of his pontificate. He is not afraid to cross boundaries and borders in reaching out to those who live on the periphery of their realities. His message is peace and to give “The Joy of the Gospel” to millions who are afflicted and wounded in our world of injustice and indifference.

Indeed, it has been demanding for him to carry on with a shepherding role, showing his solidarity with the poor and marginalized. He is not afraid to carry the cross of humanity. He has kept the image of the Church high with his convictions, principles of loving God and neighbor and love for Jesus. Living life according to the Beatitudes, and inviting all to do the same for everyone’s salvation, according to the mind of Jesus Christ, he moves in his difficult task of management and service.

In one of his most recent reflections on our endeavors to find God, he gives practical suggestions and shares his deep sense of spirituality: “Your life is the greatest enterprise in the world. … Remember that to be happy is not to have sky without a storm, a road without accidents, work without fatigue, relationships without disappointments. To be happy is to find strength in forgiveness, hope in battles, security in the stage of fear, love in discord. It is not only to enjoy the smile, but also to reflect on the sadness. It is not only to celebrate the successes, but to learn lessons from the failures. It is not only to feel happy with the applause, but to be happy in anonymity.”

That’s his philosophy of life and orientation: to love all by reaching out from the depth of one’s soul in prayer and deeper contemplation.

For five years, we have had a pope of surprises, a pope of surprising mercy, a pope who says in all honesty to reporters, “Who am I to judge?” He is a pope who speaks for the marginalized, insisting that a global Church consider the entire globe.

He scandalizes both Catholics and traditionalists with his blunt rejection of false pieties and arbitrary rules. He is not afraid to kiss the feet of a Muslim woman on Maundy Thursday, visit prisoners in jail and wash their feet, encourage young people to “make a mess, cause a scene,” and call out the Pharisees and hypocrites of our day in his preaching and teaching.

Indeed a pastoral dynamo, Pope Francis has brought about transformation in society and in the Church during these five years of his pontificate, which have been momentous. His joy comes from his commitment to the poor and social justice.

Father Francis Sunil Rosario is a parochial vicar at St. Bartholomew Church, Elmhurst.