Rare is the leader who makes us want to be better people. Pope Francis is such a leader.
His Holiness has moved us with his message of inclusion, especially for the poor, the marginalized and the outcast. But it has been his deeds, his bearing, the gestures at once simple and profound — embracing the sick, ministering to the homeless, washing the feet of young prisoners — that have inspired us all.
Pope Francis reminds us in ways that words alone cannot that no matter our station in life, we are bound by moral obligations to one another. His example challenges us to live out those obligations through work — to alleviate poverty, reduce inequality and promote peace; to feed the hungry, shelter the homeless, care for the sick and open new doors of opportunity and visions of possibility for everyone. His message of love and inclusion, his regard for “the least of these,” distills the essence of Jesus’ teachings and is a tonic for a cynical age. May we heed his humble example.
The Most Surprising Photos of Pope Francis
The wind lifts Pope Francis' mantle as he delivers his speech in front of Independence Hall in Philadelphia, on Sept. 26, 2015.
Tony Gentile—AP
Pope Francis looks at the Statue of Liberty from the window of a helicopter on his way to the John F. Kennedy International Airport, in New York City, on Sept. 26, 2015.
L'Osservatore Romano/AP
A Pope Francis mannequin rides around in a car in Times Square as New York City waits for the arrival of the Pope to the city, on Sept. 24, 2015.
Timothy A. Clary—AFP/Getty Images
Kaydn Dorsey, 4, and Lionel Perkins, 4, draw on a coloring sheet bearing the image of Pope Francis as they wait for him to arrive on a visit to Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Washington in Washington, on Sept. 24, 2015.
David Goldman—Reuters
Nuns with the Hospitaler Sisters of Mercy in Pleasantville, N.J., pose for a selfie with a cutout of Pope Francis, at the World Meeting of Families conference, in Philadelphia, on Sept. 22, 2015.
Matt Rourke—AP
Pope Francis blows out the candles of a birthday cake to celebrate his 78th birthday during a general audience at the Vatican on Dec. 17, 2014.
Osservatore Romano/AFP/Getty Images
Paying the bill at Rome's Domus Internationalis Paulus VI hotel, where Pope Francis stayed as a cardinal before entering the conclave and being elected pope.
Osservatore Romano/AP
Welcoming Pope emeritus Benedict XVI as he returns to the Vatican from the pontifical summer residence of Castel Gandolfo.
Osservatore Romano/AP
Holding a disabled child after celebrating Easter Mass.
Alessandro di Meo—ANSA/Zuma Press
Pope Francis masks in a factory in Brazil, where the Pontiff took his first overseas trip.
Christophe Simon—AFP/Getty Images
Leading the Worldwide Eucharistic adoration at the Vatican.
Alessandra Benedetti—Corbis
A gust of wind blows the pope's mantle.
Alessandra Tarantino—AP
Attending the opening of the Pastoral Convention of the Diocese of Rome.
Stefano Rellandini—Reuters
Leaving a welcoming ceremony at Guanabara Palace in Rio de Janeiro.
Ricardo Moraes—Reuters
Greeting the weekly General Audience.
Stefano Rellandini—Reuters
Pointing to the statue of Our Lady of Aparecida from the balcony of the Aparecida basilica in Brazil.
Domenico Stinellis—AP
A Catholic faithful in Brazil bears a sticker of Pope Francis on his forehead.
Ueslei Marcelino—Reuters
Images of Pope Francis projected onto screens at Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro.
Paulo Whitaker— Reuters
Departing Rio de Janeiro.
Ricardo Moraes—Reuters
A stray dog walks across the stage near the altar where Pope Francis celebrates the World Youth Day's closing Mass on the Copacabana beachfront.
Victor R. Caivano—AP
Listening to confessions of young people in a park in Rio de Janeiro.
L'Osservatore Romano—EPA
Posing with youths in Saint Peter's Basilica.
L'Osservatore Romano—EPA
Greeting the faithful on a rainy day during the General Audience.
Fabio Frustaci—Eidon Press/Zuma Press
Arriving to lead his General Audience in a firefighter's helmet.
Stefano Rellandini—Reuters
A quiet moment after meeting with Equatorial Guinea's President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo at the Vatican.
Max Rossi—Reuters
Marking the 110th anniversary UNITALSI, a Catholic organization dedicated to helping the sick.
Francesco Zizola—NOOR for TIME
A private Audience with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
L'Osservatore Romano/AP
Keeping warm during a General Audience.
Alessandra Tarantino—AP
Comforting a disfigured man at the end of his General Audience.
Claudio Peri—EPA
Blessing a sick man with deformed facial features.
Evandro Inetti—Zuma Press
Visiting the parish of the Sant'Alfonso Maria de Liguori during the Epiphany day.
L'Osservatore Romano—AFP/Getty Images
Reacting to devotees at a weekly General Audience.
Alessandro Bianchi—Reuters
A seagull attacks a dove released during a prayer conducted by Pope Francis.
Alessandro Bianchi—Reuters
A scarf is tossed at Pope Francis by a faithful.
Tony Gentile—Reuters
Italian artist Mauro Pallotta's superhero rendering of Pope Francis in a street near St. Peter's Basilica.
Alessandra Benedetti—Corbis
Blowing a kiss to pilgrims gathered at Saint Peter's Square.
Vincenzo Pinto—AFP/Getty Images
Meeting with U.S. President Barack Obama in the private library of the Apostolic Palace in Vatican City.
Vatican Pool/Contrasto/Redux
With Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip at the Vatican.
Alessandra Benedetti—Vatican Pool/Corbis
A wind gust lifts Pope Francis's mantle as he arrives at the traditional Washing of the Feet during Holy Thursday.
Alberto Pizzoli—AFP/Getty Images
Kissing a man's at the traditional Washing of the Feet.
Alberto Pizzoli—AFP/Getty Images
Visitors take photos of Pope Francis as he speaks from the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican.
Michael Sohn—AP
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