Pope's "One Small Step..."

Pope Francis has wasted no time in bringing his own style to leading the world’s Roman Catholics. While previous popes have traditionally washed the feet of 12 priests, a religious rite during the church’s holy week, Pope Francis opted to wash the feet of 12 inmates, including two young women, an action that has upset a more conservative faction of the church. In deviating from tradition, the Pope sent a clear signal of his willingness to lead the church in a differently. As change can start with one small gesture, the Pope has already made the first step. To modify the phrase coined by U.S. astronaut Neil Armstrong’s famous quote during a 1969 moon landing; one small step for a Pope, one giant leap for the Catholic Church.

With Christians making up about one third of the world’s population, the largest of the major religions, Pope Francis has the opportunity to exert a needed leadership in building bridges with other religions, particularly Islam, the second largest religion. Although there’s no need for people to abandon their individual religious beliefs, the common denominator of peace and goodwill toward others should be sufficient for people to find ways to connect with each other rather than look at other religions as threats to their existence. Pope Francis will be watched by many with hope for change.