You could have knocked me down with a feather when Archbishop Eamon Martin of Armagh phoned me unexpectedly towards the end of March 2022. He suggested that I sit down before he continued – and then told me that he had a personal letter from Pope Francis for me! I had no idea why, but then he explained.
A few months earlier, I had written a review in the Irish News of Pope Francis’ third encyclical entitled ‘Fratelli Tutti’ (Italian for ‘we are all brothers and sisters’), and which was subtitled “on fraternity and social friendship.’ Unknown to me, Archbishop Eamonn had sent a copy of it to the Vatican with a very generous accompanying letter, and now he had a personal reply from Pope Francis to pass on to me.
I had been very struck in the encyclical by the Pope’s lengthy and detailed exploration of the parable of the Good Samaritan in Luke’s gospel (Chapter 10.25-37) under the title ‘A stranger on the road’. In it, the Pope emphasised that, in an unhealthy society that turns its back on suffering and that is “illiterate” (his word) in caring for the frail and vulnerable. We are all called – just like the Good Samaritan – to become neighbours to others, overcome prejudices, personal interests, historic and cultural barriers. We are all responsible together – right across the world – for creating a society that can include and lift up those who have fallen or are suffering.
This was a deep exploration of a timeless biblical message. It was highly relevant when Pope Francis wrote the encyclical a few years ago. How much more relevant is it now, with so much of the world at war bringing death and destruction on a vast scale; with millions displaced from their homes and homelands, and rampant hunger and distress in so many countries and regions.
And it is a timeless message for the whole world, not just the faithful in the church, but a message to all governments, all leaders, all societies, all peoples, and ordinary people like you and me here in Ireland – even those who know nothing of Christ’s teaching nor care about it.
And I was very struck again earlier this week as we became aware of the preparation Pope Francis had made for his death and burial. In his funeral arrangements, his love for the least amongst us was shown yet again in his choice of burial ground. But of even more significance was his spelling out of his clear conviction that death is not the end. ‘I ask that my mortal remains rest – awaiting the day of the Resurrection – in the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major.’ He gave instructions in his will that: “The tomb must be in the earth; simple, without particular decoration and with the only inscription: Franciscus.”
Our society does not deal with dying and death at all well – even though we have the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ recounted to us every Easter. Many leaders want to leave a legacy of fame or achievement, and they often seek to do that using power, tribal loyalties or even by deceit and scheming. And they want to be praised day in and day out for what they have done or are doing. Not so with Pope Francis. Humble in spirit; humble in life and humble in facing his death, with eternal hope. This is surely a better way to live and die.
I never met Pope Francis, yet I feel that I do know quite a lot about him, not only from that Encyclical, but from the graciousness of his letter to me, so unexpected and so humbling. He exemplified godly humility alongside a vast vision for a more Christ honouring world. May there be more Christian leaders like him, to influence not only the church, but leaders of every kind and in every part of the world. Without this, we will sink into ever more evil and lostness. And I say that both as an optimist in temperament, and a firm believer in Christ as… our only hope… in life and in death.
Very Rev Dr Norman Hamilton is a retired Presbyterian minister, former Moderator of the General Assembly, and Chair of Contemporary Christianity.
Please note that the statements and views expressed in this article of those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of Contemporary Christianity.
What a joy, Norman, to read this article. I had great admiration for Pope Francis, his humility, his care for the poor and marginalised, migrants and creation, as well as his obvious love of the Lord. A few years ago a parish Minister told me that when addressing a group of pupils from a local Catholic school he told them “Presbyterians like Pope Francis”. What a long way we have come – that we can recognise fellow Christians beyond denominational labels. I like to think of myself as a member of the Body of Christ rather than of any particular denomination.
What a wonderful article! So nice to read that we can acknowledge the work of God in others despite our theological differences.
As an Argentinian living in Ireland for the last 41 years I am very proud of what Pope Francis has communicated through his life and his death. Like him I was raised in Buenos Aires, my family were immigrants from Italy. It was very hard, it brought a lot of sadness because some members of the extended family were left behind and in those days they never managed to return again. So Pope Francia knew what it was like to come from an immigrant family. He taught us to find God in unexpected places and people, to enjoy God and to live out God’s love for us. His voice will be greatly missed in a world which is in much need of guidance.
Articles such as this one are undoubtedly written with the best of intentions but they do make it somewhat more difficult to get a listening ear from our many friends who have not yet found salvation by grace alone, through faith alone in Christ alone. The article’s implication that eternal life can be secured by other means does a serious injustice to the unsaved.
There is no doubt that Pope Francis was a man close to his people., as evidenced in the past week’s events.
Evangelicals, however, would not concur with Dr Hamilton’s views as the Pope never came to the point where he publicly exposed the folly of doctrines such as the mass and the claims that others apart from Christ can act as mediators between God and mankind.
I genuinely appreciate the comments by Mr Cardwell on my blog.
I would however point out that I made no mention at all of the mass, the means of salvation or eternal life. I focussed simply on the parable of the Good Samaritan, the Biblical fact of resurrection, and the Christian virtues of neighbourly love and humility.
I appreciate that Dr Hamilton made no specific mention of the mass etc but his clear acceptance of the Fratelli Tutti concept is incompatible with the evangelical tenet that salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone – and is in no way obtained by works, penance, indulgences, any ongoing sacrifice or through the mediation of anyone other than Christ.
This is a very timely and relevant article. Thank you Norman