Pope Francis greets faithful after a general audience last September 18, 2013. (Photo: Pinky Barrientos, FSP)
MANILA, Dec. 13, 2013— Time magazine’s naming Pope Francis as Person of the Year is an invitation to other world leaders to lead life of integrity, Manila’s archbishop said.
Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle said the pope exemplifies good practices in leadership and charity, and how leaders can learn from him.
“The choice of Pope Francis as Time magazine’s Person of the Year testifies to the universal appeal of Christ’s Gospel of mercy, humility, sincerity, human worth, compassion, and solidarity. It is a language that all people understand and appreciate,” Tagle said.
“The choice invites the leaders of the world to lead lives of integrity, to review their priorities and to inspire humanity through selfless service,” he said.
The cardinal also said that the pontiff’s selection also provides an opportunity for Catholics to reflect on his examples that inspired many people.
“The choice also calls the leaders and faithful of the church embody these virtues and values in daily life and work,” Tagle added.
“The life witness of a disciple is still the most effective proclamation of the Christian message,” he said.
The new head of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), meanwhile, described the recognition as a “refreshing wind of new life that God has given the world” and called on the faithful to follow the pope’s lead.
“I encourage our Catholics to stay focused on the Pope’s eyes—always on God. The sincerest form of honoring him is to imitate him. In his simplicity and down-to-earth faith we have much to learn,” said Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Socrates Villegas, CBCP president. (CBCPNews)
