Why I love Pope Francis, even though I’m not Catholic

NOTE: The following was originally published in The Tri-State Defender, where I spent many years as a journalist and award-winning columnist. For context, Pope Francis was still relatively new in the role, having only been selected in 2013. He made his first visit to the United States in 2015 — and made headlines for arriving in a rather demure car. As his health takes a turn for the worse and a world prays, I wanted to share my admiration for Pope Francis not just talking the talk but walking the walk. — Lee

A Fiat.

In an age where Rev. Creflo Dollar comes under fire for saying he needs a $65 million jet to fulfill God’s calling on his life, Pope Francis – the worldwide leader of The Holy Catholic Church – rides in the backseat of a Fiat.

I LOVE this guy!

The Pope landed on U.S. soil for the first time Tuesday, and was greeted by President Barack Obama, Vice President Joe Biden, and their respective families. Before he heads back to The Vatican on Sunday, he will hold mass in Washington, DC, New York City and Philadelphia. 

Wednesday morning, he made opening remarks on The White House lawn, before going into a private session with President Obama. Later today (Thursday), he will address a joint session of Congress, where he is expected to drive home an impassioned call to action on the pressing issue of climate change.

Obviously, The Pope is a voice that Catholics can, should and will listen to simply because of his position in the Catholic church. But why should non-Catholics care? Why should African Americans pay attention? 

There are two answers to those questions. One has to do with what the man has to say. The other has to do with who the man is.

In my opinion, there is a difference between being a Christian and being Christ-like. Often, it seems Christians are consumed with saving souls, with taking the moral high ground, with getting people to join the church. There is nothing wrong with those goals. 

But too many Christians can thump the Bible, telling others how they’re living wrong. Too many Christians can step over a homeless person on their way into the sanctuary. Too many of us show too little tolerance for “the least of these” that Jesus called for us to treat the same way we would treat him.

That’s why, I aspire to be more Christ-like. And Pope Francis gives us a pretty good example to follow. And he started showing us how pretty much from the beginning of his papacy.

As pope, he has a right to live in an actual palace in Vatican City. As pope, he could keep himself at a certain distance from people, for his own safety. As pope, he can actually consider himself “holier than thou” and no one would blink.

Instead, he chooses to live in a relatively small, humble residence in the Vatican. He seems to joyfully throw caution to the wind so he can get out and greet the masses who come out to see him. He takes selfies with children! Legend has it hat sometimes he sneaks out of the Vatican to visit the homeless. 

And instead of a limousine? He rides in the back of a Fiat.

Pope Francis’ has made a personal commitment to humility and simplicity. He doesn’t just talk the talk, he walks the walk. He stands on more than just a moral high ground — he stands on personal integrity. Real recognizes real.

This has shown up in his policies as well, many of which have transformed a Catholic Church worldwide. He’s made church finances transparent; he has said that hot-button issues like abortion and gay marriage shouldn’t dominate conversations about what it means to be a person of faith. And he even chose his papal name after St. Francis of Assisi, whom he strives to be like in caring for the poor.

Which brings us to what he said Wednesday morning on the White House lawn: That the issue of climate change must be dealt with — not just now, but RIGHT NOW.

“Climate change is a problem which can no longer be left to our future generation,” Pope Francis said. “We still have time to make the change needed . . . . Such change demands on our part a serious and responsible recognition not only of the kind of world we may be leaving to our children, but also to the millions of people living under a system which has overlooked them. To use a telling phrase of the Reverend Martin Luther King, we can say that we have defaulted on a promissory note, and now is the time to honor it.”

Why should African Americans care about what Pope Francis says about climate change? As the saying goes, if mainstream America has a cold, black America has the flu. 

As many challenges as African Americans face, we still live in a nation largely insulated from the worst effects of climate change. But in developing and third world countries, the poorest among us are paying the price for our excesses. 

Put it like this: In the U.S., a drought in California means paying more for produce and getting a citation if you run your sprinkler at the wrong time of day. But in other parts of the world, a drought means a food shortage. Which means conflict over scarce resources. Which means gunfights and bloodshed. Which means children growing up in war zones, with little hope.

None of that is what Christ has called us to do. Christ called us to care for “the least of these.” And thank God we have Pope Francis – in all his humility and integrity – to remind us that we all live in a “common home” called Earth. 

So on Thursday, when he addresses a U.S. Congress that’s known for arguing over petty things, catering to the rich and powerful, and in some cases actively working against those who have the least to lose . . .

Well, I’ll be cheering for the guy who’s going home in a Fiat.