[December 27, 2014] It is actually easy to point out the mistakes of senior leaders because of their visibility. With a multitude of mass media outlets, the venues to read or see the spoken and written word of leaders are easily available. More difficult to find is good commentary from those very same leaders. Pope Francis is one leader who provides us with an excellent example of how a leader should act.
In a strong Christmas message1,2 the Pope used his traditional address to emphasize the predicament that children face in regions of war. He points out their “impotent silence” and our “complicit silence.” Strong words! He is unequivocal in his communications to us about how children are taken advantage of in our world. He speaks to all Roman Catholics but all of us should listen closely to his message of love and how faith can heal.
Pope Francis also denounced abortion and talked about “infants killed in the womb, deprived of that generous love of their parents and then buried in the egoism of a culture that does not love life.” This has been one of his most common themes … life and love. I think he has done an outstanding service for all humankind when he speaks on abortion. Many reject his pleas for the unborn because it is based on religion. Yet he transcends religion and appeals to us also on humanitarian grounds.
His message is more complex, of course. I recommend hearing it in its entirety (see video link). The three minute speech is in Italian with English subtitles. I don’t speak Italian but one can hear his voice and see his actions as he reads his own speech. The message becomes clearer as he moves through it. This is a great man talking to all of us. It is worth listening regardless of your religion, politics, or language.
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