Humility of Pope Francis Impresses Atheists and Charismatics
Since being elected as the new head of the Roman Catholic Church, Pope Francis has consciously made choices that reflect humility. The news headlines leave a positive impression:
- Francis May Be First Pope in 110 Years to Decline Swank Real-Estate Upgrade - The Atlantic Wire
- Pope Francis to live in Vatican guest house, not papal apartment - Patheos
- Pope stuns newsstand owner by calling to cancel home delivery - NBC News
- Meet the new pope: Francis is humble leader who takes the bus to work - NBC News
So it shouldn't be surprising when evangelical and charismatic Christians wish that more megachurch pastors and televangelists would emulate the humility of Pope Francis.
J. Lee Grady, the former editor of Charisma magazine, writes:
Have you noticed a contrast between Pope Francis’ simple lifestyle and the sickening excess that is on display among some of our Pentecostal/charismatic leaders?
I’ve pulled a lot of my hair out watching our embarrassing charismatic sideshows over the last few years. I think it is time we draw a line in the sand and say: “NO MORE.”
Grady suggests that Christian religious leaders should stop traveling by private jet and says that some of today's televangelists are worse than the priests that sold indulgences in the middle ages.
Even more suprising is atheists taking note of the pope's humility and praising him. Atheist Jake Wallis Simons' article Why even atheists love Pope Francis shows admiration for real humility:
False humility can be spotted a mile off, of course, and we are all used to doing that. But Pope Francis has proved that authentic humility can be just as immediately visible.
So the next time you go to church, observe how the pastors, priests and staff serve the congregation and each other. Is it with humility? And more importantly, review your own actions to see if people see humility or arrogance in your own actions. What if Christians were known as the most humble and compassionate people on earth? We would change the world.