Reflecting upon Pope Francis’ five years as pope, Cardinal Donald Wuerl of Washington DC writes:

In a world that thirsts for a love which does not disappoint, that is hungry for justice and more than what our materialistic, commercialized society offers, the Holy Father calls us to respond proactively with caring and kindness. Again and again, we hear him say to “go out” and embrace with Christ’s love those we encounter, particularly those on the margins of life, the poor, the vulnerable and the outcast.  What Pope Francis is doing – in his apostolic travels, homilies and writings, in his pastoral outreach to hospitals, charities, prisons and refugee camps, and in his proclaiming a Jubilee Year of Mercy – is the New Evangelization, proposing the Gospel in a living, attractive way that provides people the uncomplicated treasure of Christ’s love.

In this respect, one of Pope Francis’ great contributions to date I believe has been the reconnecting of the Church – you and me – with the energy of the Second Vatican Council, the excitement of renewal, mission and a focus on the primacy of love as the engine driving the Church, her teaching and her outreach.