People's Pontiff left a legacy of humility for all of us to emulate

While I am not a Catholic, I have found myself mourning the death of the “People’s Pontiff”, who was buried last week, not in the prestigious St Peters Basilica where most Popes are buried, but outside the Vatican, at the Papal Basilica of St Mary Major, which last witnessed a Papal internment in the 17th century.

Born Jose Mario Bergoglio in Argentina, Pope Francis was a man of many gifts but also controversial in many respects. While many in the faith celebrate his reformist approach, others believe he failed to fundamentally alter the direction of the church and allowed his opponents to halt his progress, including on the controversial issue of sex abuse by priests. 

His detractors, on the other hand, believe he went too far left, particularly on issues of sexuality, and that he was too focused on the poor and immigrants at the expense of church doctrine.

But both his admirers and foes are united in one position: Pope Francis was the epitome of humility and humanity. His humility and humanity were real, but he also understood the meaning of symbolism.

In his days as Bishop of Buenos Aires, where he was known as the “slum bishop”, he used public means of transport and lived among the people. In the Vatican, he rejected the more ostentatious benefits of the papacy, like living in the grand Papal residence, and instead lived in the humbler Vatican guesthouse. He called out the priests’ lack of humility, calling it “a cancer” that needed surgery.  

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But outside these symbolic acts and public statements, the Pope was uniquely humble, kind, and caring, and showed genuine love, especially to those considered marginal. Pope Francis’ humility stands out even more when one remembers that by doctrine, the Pope is not just the “Vicar of Christ” but is also infallible, both of which make the term “humble pope” sound oxymoronic.

As we remember this great servant of God, I desire that we focus on these virtues. I come from a belief that humility, defined as freedom from pride, and humanity, which speaks to genuine empathy, grace and compassion towards people are the virtues at the base of human, and particularly Christian living.

Unfortunately, in Kenya, which calls itself a majority Christian nation, if there are missing virtues, humility and humanity top the list. When we think of a lack of humility, we automatically think of those in leadership. And for good reason.

In Kenya, being in leadership is lording it over the rest. It is pushing them off the road as we rush to very important engagements, which of course outweigh everyone else’s engagements.

It is spraying dust on the people with our helicopters. It is treating people with disdain and condescension until we need votes from them.

It is considering ourselves better than others and leaving this in no doubt with our conduct and speech. But in reality, lack of humility and humanity is not limited to those in leadership.

You see it in our utter disregard of those we consider lower than ourselves, wherever life puts us in the pecking order. We treat the disadvantaged with contempt.

We look down on those who life has forced to adopt a humiliating existence, be they street families, beggars, or prostitutes. If we are lucky enough to drive, we cut in on fellow drivers and push them off the roads.

We hoot at the annoying pedestrians and splash runoff water on them as we zoom by, unconcerned about how that ruins their day. If we walk, we push those weaker than us, especially women and children, off the paths and corridors. We jump queues and abhor basic courtesies.

Like the priest and Pharisee in Christ’s good Samaritan story, we lack basic humanity, passing those in trouble from the furthest angle lest we be mixed up in their troubles.

We have no solidarity with those we consider of lower rank. May the death and burial of Pope Francis be a time for reflection, birthing and renewing in us a desire to adopt a true humanity and to embrace humility wherever life puts us. F

Or, truth be told, if we lack this basic software in our lives, no amount of grand political or economic change will truly transform our societies. 

The writer is an advocate of the High Court of Kenya