Pope Francis and the Power of One

OK, OK, I know, I know. I missed a day. I had so much work to do that I just didn't get a chance to blog, but I'm back again with more on Pope Francis. This time, the subject is simplicity. In today's Huffington Post, author Frances D'Emilio describes the Pope's formal installation.

Visit: Pope Francis, Bishop of Rome Invites Romans to Join Him at City Basilica

Pope Francis wore "a plain white cassock," which was quite different than the finery displayed by the welcoming Italian cardinal. In contrast to the entrance of many fancy pontiffs, the Pope came into a side entrance of the basilica complex in a jeep. He stopped to kiss babies in the crowd that was gathered there, before going inside.

After blessing a plaque in honor of Pope John Paul II, Pope Francis repeated something from his very first message to the people after his election: "I ask you to pray for me, I need it, don't forget." Emphasizing gentleness and caring, he said that "those who love are able to understand, to hope, to inspire confidence; they do not give up, they do not burn bridges, they are able to forgive."

Another different element in this occasion was that Pope Francis chose a pledge that was nonhierarchical. Most past pledges "elevate" the position of the pontiff, but he chose to consider himself as "presiding over all the Churches in charity."

Simplicity, no vainglory, nonhierarchical. . .these terms have been emerging as descriptors for this Pope. He doesn't always use words to "preach." He doesn't exhort people to throw off their fancy clothes and don sackcloth. Instead, he strips down as much of the ornate trappings of his office as possible. He shows by example what is possible.

That isn't to say that he will never "pull rank" on anyone. It does say that he would prefer not to. What a world this would be if people lived by that concept. We would not all be glued to our TV sets wondering if and when North Korea will set off a bomb just to show who is "boss." The United States would not be in perpetual gridlock, if it weren't for all the showboating that goes on in the halls of Congress.

Let's admit it. We are human. Most of us don't get a taste of power that often, and, when we do, we are tempted to flaunt it. Yet, there is something that can prevent this from happening. It's that old word again—empathy! We can choose to remember a time of powerlessness at the very moment of attaining power. We can choose to feel the feelings of the people who still do not have power. And that can guide our actions in the most humane way possible. And, like St. Francis of Assisi, we can also remember the animals in this world.

There was a reason that Bob Dylan sang, "you gotta serve somebody." And Pope Francis gets it. He knows that the highest, most gracious, and most spiritual power comes from service—not from wielding a scepter. This is at the root of true power. It is the power that never runs out and never reverses itself. It goes on forever unopposed in the end. And it prevails.

If only the rest of us could learn this lesson. Imagine if each one of us could emulate Pope Francis and use our power of one to spread humility and decency throughout the world. All it would take is a little simplicity.