There's A Reason They Called Him The People's Pope

I was raised a cradle Catholic. That's the phrase I've always heard. The phrase that describes people who were raised in the church but, for the most part (for my part) never really understood that church or its teachings. I know I didn't. I knew when to stand up and when to sit down, when to kneel and when to say "and also with you." I went to church because the rule in our family was that if you didn't go to church, you didn't go to the beach (and I went to the beach every Sunday as a teen). I attended CCE because my parents would take my car away if I didn't. I argued with my CCE teachers, but always in a rebellious teenager kind of way. Not in a I truly understand and disagree with this dogma kind of way. And that was the extent of my commitment. It was not voluntary.

As a young adult, I grew away from the church. More from disinterest than disagreement. I didn't care to unpack the faith enough to agree or disagree really. In my twenties, I took my son to mass. And yes, I made him go to CCE as my parents had made me. I grew to understand that there were components of the religion that bothered me, but I also grew to love the mass. I mean I loved it. I still do if I'm honest. I think the symbolism speaks to my English teacher heart and the mantras and sense of ritual speak to witchy witchy soul. 

In my late 30's (or maybe early 40's) I took a class to actually learn Catholicism. It was intended for those converting to the religion. I learned a lot. I liked a lot. I stuck around a little longer.

But the world changed. The world around me became less tolerant, and I became less tolerant of intolerance. And through this time of inner change and turmoil I was reading the writings of Pope Francis. I was listening to him speak. I was falling more and more in love with him and less and less in love with his church. He was calling for churches and Christians to do better. To be better. And those all around me just weren't. 

And so I left. My love and respect for Pope Francis helped me leave the Catholic church and never look back. Man, that is a strange sentence to write. But it's true. 

He was such a powerful symbol of compassion and progress, reaching hearts around the world with his humility, empathy, and courageous push for inclusion. He opened doors for people who had long felt left out and unheard by any church. He taught that every church's true strength is in embracing every human soul, without question. Without judgement. And he lived his life accordingly. 

He is the reason I am a foster parent. 

He is the reason I care so deeply for immigrants. 

He is the reason I am the person I have become.

He will be missed by so many. Talk about a man who truly left the world better than he found it. Thank you, Jorge Mario Bergoglio. May your wings help you fly high enough to watch over us all.