John McCarthy writes:

Humility

As Pope Francis was announced to the world from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, he could have easily used that moment to talk about himself and his pontificate. Instead, he spoke of themes of “mutual trust” and invited the crowd to “pray for one another.” Then, in a moment of humility, he asked those gathered to pray for him, and that the Lord would bless him….

Always be open to dialogue

We are currently in a climate where too many of us retreat to our own corners. Yet on Easter morning, after weeks in the hospital, Pope Francis met with Vice President JD Vance — whom he had recently publicly disagreed with on migration. This visit not only presented the pope an opportunity to reaffirm the church’s teachings, but also to show that we are always meant to treat others with respect and be in dialogue with one another….

Be among the people you serve

Pope Francis has talked about the church being a “field hospital“— directly engaged with the people it is meant to serve. His actions have embodied this idea throughout his papacy….

Always speak truth to power — with thoughtfulness

Pope Francis never shied away from using his stature to share what he believed and the teachings of the church. But unlike the tone of politics today, he never did this in a way that was meant to embarrass others. He always wanted to bring others along in the process….

The purpose of politics

In his address to Congress, Francis reminded us, “Politics is … an expression of our compelling need to live as one, in order to build as one the greatest common good.”

This sense of common purpose is the thing most missing from public life today.