“A most remarkable leader”: Cardinal in South Africa Applauds Pope Francis, Calls for Prayers for His Recovery

He continued, “The Pope, a name that has its origins in the Latin word meaning bridge, is meant to be exactly that, a bridge that unites people, reconciles them, who is able to traverse differences in order to find common ground for the sake of humanity. In a real sense, the world is entrusted to his care, and not only the Catholic Church.”

Cardinal Brislin urged the people of God to reflect on the Pope’s core teachings, particularly his emphasis on compassion, mercy, and justice.

“His primary message is one of compassion, the compassion of God towards humankind, and the need for compassion to be our guiding principle. He has never dismissed the need for laws and regulations, for doctrine, and for teaching. He has added to the laws of the Church, called canon law,” Cardinal Brislin said.

According to the Cardinal, Pope Francis believes that “a little mercy can make the world less cold and more just.”

The Holy Father, Cardinal Brislin observed, “has spoken out against legalism that does not see the true purpose of the law, and that excludes mercy and compassion.”

The Local Ordinary of Johannesburg who doubles as President of the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference (SACBC) reminded Catholics that true faith is not about titles or positions but about living out the Gospel. 

“Pope Francis said that if I am not a disciple, then even as Pope, I am not truly following Jesus. It is not through being a Pope, or Bishop, or Priest, or having a position in the Church that we are saved. It is through discipleship that we open our hearts to God's salvation,” the Cardinal said.

The 68-year-old South African Cardinal, who started his Episcopal Ministry in January 2007 as Bishop of South Africa’s Kroonstad Catholic Diocese further said, “Pope Francis has given to the world perhaps one of the greatest challenges of our times, our attitude and behavior towards marginalized people, those on the periphery. Particularly, he has taken up the cause of migrants and refugees, those who flee their countries because of war, conflict, persecution, or economic or climatic hardships. He has counteracted and opposed narrow nationalism that is prevalent in the world and seems to be growing.”

The Holy Father, the South Africa Cardinal said, “has conscientized leaders around the world not only in terms of migrants but also in terms of such issues as the scourge of human trafficking, of economic systems that keep people subservient and in poverty, and subservient to the system itself rather than seeing the economic system as being of service to people.”

Cardinal Brislin also reflected on Pope Francis’ pastoral approach, emphasizing the Pope’s insistence that Priests be close to their people. 

“He has challenged Priests not to be inaccessible to those they serve, but to go out, to go out to people and to have the smell of the sheep,” he said.

Cardinal Brislin said that beyond social justice, Pope Francis has called attention to the care of creation, linking environmental degradation with economic injustice. 

“He has challenged the domination and greed of some nations at the expense of poor nations,” the Cardinal said, noting that the Pope has “tirelessly worked to ensure the Church remains at the service of humanity rather than the other way around.”

Cardinal Brislin noted that despite criticisms, Pope Francis has remained steadfast in his mission, promoting the Gospel’s message of mercy while holding firm to the Church’s teachings. 

“Many have feared that what he has said means that he wishes to alter or tinker with the doctrine of the Church. But that is not the case. What he wants is compassion for people in whatever circumstances they find themselves in,” he explained.

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Cardinal Brislin noted that Pope Francis’ teachings are not new but are a continuation of the Church’s long tradition, made distinct by his personal witness and deep compassion. 

“Throughout his papacy, Pope Francis, and even from his sickbed, has striven for peace, to reconcile warring nations and people. And he has done so without mincing his words when injustice is evident. He has rightly condemned the injustices of the world and all that diminishes the inherent dignity of the human person,” he said.

The Cardinal implored, “We commend our Pope to God, and we pray that he will be given strength and courage in his suffering. We pray that he will be healed and be brought to the fullness of health. May our Mother Mary watch over him and intercede for him with her motherly love, that he may have solace and consolation.”

On Monday, March 3, Pope Francis underwent two bronchoscopies after he had “two episodes of acute respiratory insufficiency,” the Holy See Press Office said in a statement.

The Vatican said the episodes were caused by “significant accumulation of endobronchial mucus and subsequent bronchospasm.”

The bronchoscopies “were performed with the need for aspiration of copious secretions” and “noninvasive mechanical ventilation was resumed in the afternoon,” the Vatican further said.