Recalling the second year of Pope Francis’ pontificate, Father Lombardi says Francis goes to the heart of the people.
The director of the Holy See Press Office made this observation in an interview with Vatican Radio, considered a ‘Year in Review’ of Pope Francis.
In the interview, the Vatican spokesman responded to various questions relating to the Synod on the Family, the April Canonization of now Saints John XXIII and John Paul II, Curia reform, the Pope’s outreach, and what words best describe him.
Responding to inquiries, Fr. Lombardi stressed the impact of the Pope’s ‘culture of encounter’ and how Francis really touches the hearts of people worldwide, everyone ranging from other faith leaders and diplomats to the poor and marginalized.
The Jesuit priest underscored the impact of each of the Holy Father’s apostolic trips this year, especially that to the Holy Land and how it further developed the relationship between him and the Ecumenical Patriarch.
The aspects of the Pope’s year that really struck the Vatican spokesman, he explained, were Francis’ constant reaching out to the faithful in all circumstances, the warmth of his embrace in particular towards children, and people with disabilities or ill health.
He also commented how the Pope has made a top priority to reach out to the poor and peripheries from the onset, but has extended this with his constant and repeated appeals to those suffering in the Middle East, Ukraine, and Africa.
In addition, the Holy Father has taken on other subjects such as slavery, human trafficking, defense of migrants and workers, Fr. Lombardi noted.
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On ZENIT’s Web page:
Full Translation of Interview: http://www.zenit.org/en/articles/text-of-fr-lombardi-interview-with-vatican-radio
On the NET:
To See the VR Article on the Original Interview (in English): http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2014/12/27/fr_lombardi_pope_francis%E2%80%99_year_in_review/1116190
