[August 19, 2014] Pope Francis in his recent visit to South Korea made a strong silent statement on abortion. He did this by stopping to pray at a monument dedicated to aborted babies. The monument is located in a community dedicated to caring for people with severe physical defects, the type used to justify abortion. He also spoke to and hugged each of the residents.
Pope Francis in South Korea. Source: The Kansas City Star
Senior leaders, take note of how this was done. Pope Francis took a strong stand on what the Roman Catholic Church considers to be a sin, abortion. He did so without a press conference, a meeting at the United Nations, or a gathering of heads’ of state. He delivered a powerful message, impossible to misunderstand. Yet he said little. His actions speak loudly. Contrast the Pope’s powerful communication technique with those we are hearing lately on the riots in Ferguson, Missouri.
This is one of the most effective ways a great leader communicates. Generally the Pope has avoided taking on hot button social issues like abortion. Although he has called abortion part of a “culture of death” that afflicts societies, he does not push the message often. Leaders can learn much from this. There was no microphone and in fact, Pope Francis spoke very softly to those around him.
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