The pope of the people

The leader of the Roman-Catholic Church, Pope Francis, is coming to Israel. And while this is not the first visit from a pope, Francis, like his predecessors, is unique, alongside the billions of followers he represents. In general, this time we are receiving a pope who, immediately upon his appointment to the papacy, saw a biography about his life published in France titled "Francis: The Pope of the Poor." No wonder he is so popular.

The upcoming visit is expected to be different, if not in substance than at least in style and character. It will not be a visit like that of Polish Pope John Paul II, who came to thaw the chilly relationship between Judaism and Christianity, or the less convivial visit from the German Pope Benedict XVI, who as a child was a member of the Hitler Youth (membership was required by law for all 14-year-old German boys after March 1939) but forgot to do what was expected of him -- apologize. This time, we will be receiving a sympathetic, pleasant, simple man-of-the-people, if you will, who is coming mostly to do what he does best -- project friendliness to the world.

The Catholic Church, in recent decades, has been losing altitude. The new age of modernism does not quite fit with the Church. In countries like France and Uruguay, the local archbishops look on as same-sex marriage is legislated, as moral conduct in today's world receives a different interpretation. Until recently, Benedict XVI led the Church, an archconservative completely incompatible with the spirit of the times. His historic resignation, unprecedented in modern times, suited the Catholic Church perfectly. The white smoke rising from the Sistine Chapel of the Apostolic Palace at the Vatican on March 13, 2013 ushered in the new covenant, in its modern version, between the Church and its followers. This time a man "from the street" was chosen to the holy position of pope, a man who used to ride the bus in his youth; a man who, according to recent revelations was, shudder at the thought, even quite the ladies' man.

The 266th pope is, without question, a first-of-a-kind model, and this is without even mentioning he is the first to hail from South America, which in and of itself is a most historically significant fact. But the historical firsts don't stop here. The pope, who was born in Buenos Aires on December 17, 1936 by the name of Jorge Mario Bergoglio, is also the first Jesuit pope.

Pope Francis' calling card is his long and ongoing love affair with the weaker classes of the population. This is a pope who preferred to spend his time in favelas (urban slums) instead of in the homes of wealthy members of the Church, which his lofty position of the past 20 years could have easily allowed him to do.

However, a distinction must be made between style and substance. Francis is no different from Joseph Aloisius Ratzinger (Benedict XVI) in his beliefs. He too believes that the pope is not the leader, but rather that God is. The pope is merely God's emissary. He is, however, choosing a different style, more humane, more open. He introduced his reforms from the start -- at least stylistically. Ever since his appointment St. Peter's Square in the Vatican City has been full on Sundays.

The selection of Pope Francis II by the Cardinals was not coincidental. The Catholic Church in Europe, from where popes generally come from, is dwindling. Benedict XVI was never a "crowd favorite" and was more suited to the conservatives and traditional followers of Catholicism. Perhaps this is why his resignation on February 28, 2013, was not particularly mourned by the Vatican.

Francis knows how to speak to the hearts of both men and women. He is a pope befitting of the times, although those expecting sweeping reforms could find be disappointed. There are limits to how far he can go. However, he can, for example, explain the Church's limitations in reforming its attitude toward homosexuals, and he can do it in a warm and loving way. Perhaps this is the greatest reform of all.

Aside from everything else, a pope who makes his own lunch is already a giant reformation. The pope, a man of the people, is coming here for a visit. The message, despite the accompanying pomp and adornments, is one of humility.

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