Welcome to the People’s Pope

The Philippines is blessed to welcome Pope Francis this afternoon as the Holy Father embarks on a mission of mercy and compassion in the world’s third largest Catholic country. Pope Francis, 78, will be here until Monday to deliver a message of hope, faith, love and solidarity.

In the eyes of athletes, what makes Pope Francis extraordinarily special is his passion for sports. His father used to play basketball for Club Atletico San Lorenzo de Almagro which was established in 1908 by Fr. Lorenzo Massa and is based in the poor Buenos Aires neighborhood of Flores. Pope Francis is a card-bearing fan of the club’s football squad which won the prestigious South American Copa Libertadores championship recently.

Previous Pontiffs have shown an interest in sports. The Harlem Globetrotters called on Pope Pius XII in 1951 and 1952, Pope John XXIII in 1959 and 1963, Pope Paul VI in 1968 and Pope John Paul II in 2000. Pope John Paul II was even given jersey No. 75 by the Globetrotters to commemorate the team’s 75th anniversary. Pope John Paul II exchanged autographs with Muhammad Ali in 1982.

Pope Francis, however, has taken his love of sports to a higher level, beyond the admiration of athletes, his collection of sports jerseys and enjoying the thrill of the game. He views sports as a way to inspire the youth with the spiritual values of loyalty and respect, a vehicle to provide, in the words of writer Kavitha Davidson, “a common ground between different countries, creating a basis for mutual understanding” and a means by which to challenge the world “in the quest for good in both Church and society, without fear, with courage and enthusiasm.”

As the People’s Pope and the Vicar of Christ, the Holy Father is the shepherd of all flocks. He is the symbol of faith. As Lionel Messi is the skipper of the Argentine football squad, so Pope Francis is the captain of the team of the world. Last year, he invited boys and girls to the Vatican on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the Italian National Olympic Committee. Pope Francis spoke to his young audience about “sports as a means to education” and said, “give it your best, spend your life on what really matters and lasts forever.” He talked about teamwork, integrity and the value of participation. Paraphrasing Pope Francis’ thoughts, Fr. James Schall said, “in so many ways, learning to lose is far from more important than learning to win.”

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Fr. Schall summed up Pope Francis’ message: “Human life itself is ultimately about losing it. In this sense, sports are apt images of glory and defeat and yes, of glory in defeat. If we win by cheating, we do not win. If we lose by playing well, in a real sense, we win. We played the game the best we could as it should be played. We retain that honor that is symbolized by the shaking of the hand, the pat on the back. We recognize that someone is better than we are. Those who do not play so well are still worthy. Indeed, they are probably victors in other areas – education, work, public life.”

Pope Francis doesn’t mean to rationalize losing. In fact, he asserts that athletes should never settle for mediocrity, that they should show the desire to win and compete to the best of their ability. Athletes should strive for excellence on the field of competition as people all over the world should strive to live “the good life of the Gospel.”

When Pope Francis was Archbishop of Buenos Aires, he used to go to work by bus and often engaged other commuters in talking about football, why this or that team won or lost, how this or that star is performing and what to expect in the next match. It’s just like you and me discussing the PBA Philippine Cup Finals in a chance meeting at a mall. Pope Francis is a real human being. And that’s why he is loved by everyone, regardless of creed or race. He’s not a supernatural being. He is a man who inspires us to be and do good. As the Pontiff, he is revered for his holiness and his wisdom, guided by the Holy Spirit, in leading the Church.

Last year, Pope Francis met Messi and other stars of the Argentine and Italian national football teams at the Vatican. He took the opportunity to send a clear message to the world deploring violence and discrimination in sports. Of course, his message carried a deeper meaning beyond sports. Pope Francis also spoke about the social responsibility of sports stars as role models.

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Pope Francis has discussed how sports could be a vehicle to promote global unity with IOC president Thomas Bach and FIFA president Sepp Blatter. He denounced the commercialization of sports as a corrupting influence. Davidson, in the Catholic World Report, said Pope Francis “wants us to remember that ‘sport is harmony but if money and success prevail as the aim, this harmony crumbles … (and) said that sports serves as a great metaphor for life, with people working toward an ultimate goal but as in life, sports shouldn’t just be about money and trophies – the allure of which often overshadows the personal, spiritual gains we make in both.”

For sure, Pope Francis will find time to talk about the Azkals’ progress, maybe even the Philippines’ near win over Argentina at the recent FIBA World Cup and the chances of Argentine star Manu Ginobili and the San Antonio Spurs retaining the NBA title this season with his Filipino hosts in light moments during his visit. But while sports is close to Pope Francis’ heart, let’s not forget why he is visiting in the first place.

Pope Francis is a man of the poor and government officials in particular should learn from his example. Imagine if government officials didn’t help themselves to billions of pesos in their corrupt ways and instead used the money for the alleviation of poverty. How the country could have progressed so much by now. Perhaps, the corrupt government officials may be inspired by Pope Francis to reform. On another note, let’s not embarrass ourselves and the country by trying to take advantage of the Pontiff’s visit by projecting images of so-called Catholic priests in holy vestments openly appealing for exemption from celibacy with their mistress and children in tow or alleged wrong-doers seeking clemency by publicity for acts that have been brought to court or future election candidates posturing to be in the Pope’s good graces.

Pope Francis is on a mission to show mercy, compassion and love for the poor, less fortunate, downtrodden, exploited and marginalized. The Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines has declared 2015 as the Year of the Poor. How wonderful that Pope Francis is visiting the country to crusade for the poor as we welcome the new year.