Pope Francis (Pastor of Mercy) Read Online Free Page A

Father Bergoglio was aware of this risk, and for this reason he kept everything secret. A secret that he maintained even afterward, because he never wanted to boast about that exceptional mission of his.”
     
    In addition to saving at least dozens of lives, this time prepared Father Bergoglio for his future leadership in the Church. Father Bergoglio believed that many of his homeland’s problems could be boiled down to a lack of solidarity and a lack of concern for one’s fellow countrymen that are different either politically or socioeconomically. There were many factions in the country that divide the rich and the poor, and throughout the years many sad and emotionally charged events that have widened that chasm. Even though the country is rich in natural resources, many of the resources have not been developed, which make the cities the main venue for possible employment. The poor lack education and have fallen into a pattern of dependency; many have not had the opportunity to develop a real work ethic. Furthermore, the poverty rate in Argentina has multiplied exponentially over the past decades. Father Bergoglio speaks of the poor, “It is everyone’s responsibility: it is mine, just as it is the bishops’, all Christians’, and those who spend money without a clear social conscience” (see Ch. 10 of Conversations with Jorge Bergoglio for his reflections on the problems within Argentina). Soon enough, Father Bergoglio would have an opportunity on a national scale to do what he could to promote a ‘culture of cooperation.’

Growth of a Pastor of Souls

After his term as provincial ended in 1979, Father Bergoglio was assigned as rector of a seminary, wrote several books, pursued advanced studies, and became a leading spiritual director in Ignatian Spirituality. Bergoglio was appointed rector of the Faculty of Philosophy and Theology at the Colegio Máximo San José in San Miguel, an institution that he once studied at and had served as a novice director and teacher. He also taught classes in theology while attending to his administrative duties. He wrote and published several books, including Meditaciones para religiosos (Meditations for Religious) in 1982, Reflexiones sobre la vida apostólica (Reflections on the Apostolic Life) in 1986, and Reflexiones de esperanza (Reflections of Hope) in 1992.
     
    Interested in studying the work of Vatican II-era theologian Romano Guardini, the founder of the Communion and Liberation movement, Father Bergoglio received permission to go to Germany in 1986 to consult with professors about a doctoral dissertation. While in Germany, he received further training in spirituality, became fluent in German, and came upon the image of Mary Untier of Knots in Augsburg. He later introduced the image of Mary Untier of Knots in Argentina for intercession for marital difficulties and other difficult situations in life.
     
    Afterwards, Father Bergoglio was sent to Córdoba in central Argentina to serve as a parish priest and spiritual director. Among Jesuits, he became well known for his expertise in the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola, their founder. The Spiritual Exercises involve a prolonged period of reflection, typically 30 days under the guidance of a spiritual director, to meditate and to listen to the voice of God. This time helps one discern which elements in one’s life are drawing him closer to God or further away. Father Spadaro, in an interview with Pope Francis, asked what it means for a Jesuit to be elected pope and how it would make a difference in his ministry. The Holy Father’s answer was, “Discernment.” He continued, “Discernment is always done in the presence of the Lord, looking at the signs, listening to the things that happen, the feeling of the people, especially the poor.... Discernment in the Lord guides me in my way of governing.”
     
    Archbishop Ubaldo Calabresi, the papal nuncio to Argentina, and Father Bergoglio became good friends.