WASHINGTON — Pope Francis, who begins his first U.S. visit with three days in Washington beginning Tuesday, has captured the imagination of Catholics and non-Catholics throughout the area and across the country. Cardinal Donald Wuerl, archbishop of Washington, says he’s seen a change in the way people are seeing the church, thanks to Francis’ leadership and style.
Wuerl gives a lot of credit to “that inviting style he has,” he told WTOP on Monday morning.
“He smiles a lot, and that means a lot, especially to young adults today.”
While sticking with church doctrines, Francis also has taken a more liberal stance on subjects such as annulment and other issues. He recently declared that women who have had abortions can seek forgiveness from their priests rather than senior church officials. He’s also taken an outspoken role in arguing for protection of the environment and society’s obligation to people in need.
That gives Francis a “sense of authenticity,” Wuerl says, adding that a lot of young people tell him, “You know, he sounds a lot like I think Jesus would sound.”
Those same young adults in their 20s and 30s are “finding in him a whole new way of seeing church and faith, and they’re responding beautifully.”
Francis has declared a Holy Year of Mercy beginning in November, and his efforts to make the church more inviting, Wuerl says, serve as a reminder “to keep focused on two things: the love of God and the mercy of God. Yes, there are rules we have to follow. Yes, there’s a teaching, and we have to live by that teaching. But the context of that is God’s love. We’re supposed to love and love one another.”
Forgiveness is the key, Wuerl says.
“God’s a forgiving God, and we should be equally forgiving with one another. Imagine what it would be like, particularly in this community … if forgiveness were the starting point of every conversation. If coming together in solidarity was the goal of every single conversation.”
Wuerl says he hopes the trip has a permanent effect.
“I hope in the wake of his visit, everybody is going to remember his message — that we can all work together. We can all be better and do better.”
And he hopes people will say, “You know, we really can make this a better place. All we have to do is walk together and work together.”
