How blessed are we to have leader before us who sets such great examples?

Last week, Papa Francesco stood in St. Peter’s Square before thousands of gathered people and asked for forgiveness, saying, "Before I begin the catechesis, I would like in the name of the church to ask your forgiveness for the scandals which have recently fallen on Rome and the Vatican, I ask your forgiveness.”

Pope Francis assumes the role of the leader of the Church, as well as breaks ground for his new take on leadership within the Church. As times change, it is impossible for everything to stay as it is or as it once was, including the Catholic Church. Pope Francis is most likely the best thing that could have happened to the Catholic Church in the times of a changing world. Pope Francis leads by example for all those who look up to him. Forgiveness is hard, as well as humility, yet these two virtues seem to be two that Papa Francesco is able to uphold so well.

Forgiveness is one thing that we so easily brush off and neglect, we move on and forget, but forgiveness is so essential to moving forward. It is so often avoided because most people lack the humility it takes to stand before others, to stand before St. Peter’s Square, to stand before the world, and ask for forgiveness. Humility is what we must first learn before we can fully ask forgiveness, even if it is just forgiveness for ourselves and our mistakes. Before we can let go and move forward, we have to embrace humility in its entirety. We can follow the example of Papa Francesco in his brazen step forward as our humble leader. Pope Francis acts as a humble leader, not even just for the Catholic Church, but he stands as a universal leader who is widely respected and known. Therefore, his actions, even the actions of affirming the value of humility, stand for the world to look to for guidance in his courageous vocalization of his apologies.

Humility alone can stand as a grace that will carry you far in all of your endeavors. Yes, in valuing humility comes forgiveness, yet humility can stand for so much more. In your humility. you can better reach the heart of others, because through vulnerability and humility you show them more of your own heart. Humility allows you to be in community with others, because with it, barriers are broken and social norms are shattered. We are left to stand hand in hand in community with each other, sharing the best parts of ourselves, which are raw, vulnerable, and humble. This magnificent and beautiful solidarity is the light at the end of the long tunnel known as humility; the trek is long, the path is hard, but the light at the end is so glorious.

And so, as we look to Papa Francesco for guidance, have courage and follow by example, embracing humility and asking for forgiveness.