As the distractions of a wired world change how people — young and old alike — lead their lives, organized religion is among the many institutions to face declining participation. With its emphasis on individualism and and instant gratification, smartphone culture often seems the antithesis of the contemplative and communal nature of religion. This 21st-century development has only added to the decline of religion in the West that most scholars say began after World War II with the emergence of a much more secular culture in many affluent nations.
But the idea that a “post-religious” society has taken hold in the United States, Europe and elsewhere has been undercut in recent days by the outpouring of iration and respect for Pope Francis — from both Catholics and non-Catholics — in reaction to the 88-year-old’s death on Easter Monday.
Initial coverage focused on the basics, such as Francis — an Argentinian Jesuit — being the first pope from Latin America and the Southern Hemisphere. But they soon gave way to tributes to the humility and grace that he displayed in public and private alike. He strove to be a comionate and unifying force who lived by the Golden Rule: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”
This was reflected in his determination to repair strains between Catholicism and other branches of Christianity, his pledges of solidarity with Judaism and his outreach to Islamic leaders. Francis’ most memorable moment arguably came in 2013, when he made clear he would not be the latest pope to marginalize gay individuals within the church, famously declaring, “Who am I to judge?” This simple, powerful comment resonated not just with the LGBT community but with of many groups made to feel like unwanted outsiders by indifferent or hostile cultural forces.
He rejected the lavish, traditional trappings of the Vatican, living in a modest apartment and sharing communal meals with colleagues and visitors. He would wash the feet of prisoners, migrants and the downtrodden, following the Christian tradition of Holy Thursday, when Jesus washed the feet of his disciples before the Last Supper. It was a tradition he honored four days before his death — on Holy Thursday — when the wheelchair-bound pontiff made a surprise visit to Rome’s Regina Coeli prison and met with a dozen inmates.
Pope Francis’ exemplary nature won’t win over some nonbelievers who question religion’s value. Others think he didn’t do nearly enough to reach out to disdained groups or to force his church to reckon with priestly sexual abuse. Others believe he was too quick to break with some traditional elements of Catholicism.
But in a world that feels divided along so many fault lines, Pope Francis often seemed a uniquely constructive, healing, edifying force. May his successor follow in his footsteps.
