What Malaysians say about Pope Francis

He is in touch with the grassroots
“He is a Pope who is closely in touch with the grassroots, knowing the struggles and realities of the people. There is no simple solution to the troubles of the world. The world has pushed God so far away that we have become indifferent to the Church and her teachings.

“So, our Pope can only push his bishops and priests to go further in reaching out to the people, to go out into the market place to meet and care for the lost and lonely. Even then he has met with lots of resistance within. And as did Jesus, has created some controversies.” — Angila Yong, Johor Bahru

One of the most riveting and remarkable world leader
“From the election of the relatively unknown Cardinal Bergoglio, of Argentina, to the Chair of St Peter — Pope Francis has gone on to become one of the most riveting, intriguing and remarkable world leaders of our time.

“Since his election, Pope Francis has not only rejuvenated the Catholic Church but has single handily refreshed the way the secular world traditionally sees the message of Christ.

“He has been speaking about mercy since the moment of his election and has called on all Catholics to remember God’s loving mercy and to carry that message out into the wider world. For example: He speaks of mercy on every trip, especially when meeting with the poor and the suffering. And he proclaimed the Jubilee Year of Mercy in the hope that it would be a moment of powerful reflection on God’s mercy for the entire Church. I wish him continued success in leading the Catholic Church to make a better world for all.” — James Collin, Catholic Lawyer, Kuching

He has re-introduced us to the tenderness of God
“From his first public moment, when he stood on the balcony of St Peter’s in Rome and asked the half-million people crowded into the square below to pray for him, I already knew that he is not an ordinary leader. For me, the Church has been going through a really dark time with the economic downturn, war, unemployment, Church’s leaders scandal etc.

But now, with the presence of Pope Francis, many in the Chruch are proud to be Catholic again, and that’s a major shift. Pope Francis emphasis is really about encountering people, like Jesus. He has set out to place a priority on pastoral care, modelling humility and openness. It is Francis’ humanity, goodness, joy, kindness and mercy that introduce us to the tenderness of our God.

Everything the Holy Father is doing now is not just an imitation of his patron St Francis Assisi who loved the poor, embraced lepers, made peace and protected nature but his mission truly comes from his heart through the intimacy with Christ and the Church.” — Bro Aldrin, Diocese of Keningau

Reaches out to peoples
“Pope Francis is a person who reaches out to all kinds of people. What I admire most about him when he addressed the Rohingyas, ‘the presence of God is also called Rohingya’.” –Msgr Henry Rajoo, parish priest St Anne’s Church Bukit ertajam

He is a simple and inspiring shepherd
“Pope Francis has shown himself to be a simple yet inspiring shepherd to all. As a young person myself, many of his words have really caused a positive impact. In particular the “make a mess” quote, His Holiness has always been motivating youths to spread the Good News and be courageous.

“As the Holy Father speaks of discernment this month, we, as the faithful, ought to think more deeply of what the Lord calls us to do in life’s situations. And with that, we can never go wrong. I have faith that the Synod this year focusing on young people will be a defining moment in reaching out to guide the faith of youths, and draw them back closer to the “Mother” – that is the Church.” — Aaron Lim, Church of the Assumption, Penang

A man who leads with love
“Pope Francis is one of the riveting, intriguing and remarkable world leaders of our time. Since his election, Pope Francis has not only rejuvenated the Catholic Church but has refreshed the way the modern people to see the message of Christ. As a health worker, I am inspired by His Holiness who embraced a man with facial tumours and hear stories of him hosting homeless men to a dinner on his own birthday and handing out phone cards so that refugees might call loved ones and family.

Francis, it seems, is a man who leads with love. It is what we should all want, together, filled with the love of Christ, extending our hands and our hearts to our suffering brothers and sisters and accompanying them.” — By Nancy ak Mineh, Catholic Nurses’ Guild, Kuch

Shown a simpler and less formal approach
“Throughout his life, Pope Francis has been known for his humility, concern for the poor and his commitment to dialogue as a way to bring people together despite their beliefs, backgrounds and faiths.

Ever since he was elected Pope, Francis has shown a simpler and less formal approach to the office. He opposes consumerism, irresponsible development, and supports taking action on climate change, a focus of his papacy with the promulgation of Laudato Si.

In international diplomacy, he helped to restore full diplomatic relations between the US and Cuba. Even the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Egypt, referred him as “the man of peace, a man who follows the teaching of Christianity, which is a religion of love and peace!” — John Tan, St Charles, Selangau

Article reproduced from Herald Malaysia online