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| Pope Francis meets with the Secretary General of the UN, Ban Ki-moon (Photo from Vatican Radio) |
"The Holy See and the UN share common goals and ideas," said Ban—one of the first world leaders to be received at an audience by the new pontiff.
Francis has called for the Roman Catholic Church to be closer to ordinary people and help the needy, as well as to reach out to people of different religions and non-believers.
"We discussed the need to advance social justice and accelerate work to meet the Millenium Development Goals," Ban said after the meeting.
The international community has undertaken to meet goals including eradicating extreme poverty and hunger and reducing child mortality by 2015.
"Pope Francis is a man of peace and purpose. He is a voice for the voiceless," he said.
Ban said he also invited the pope to visit the United Nations "at his earliest convenience."
The world really seems to love the new pope of the Roman Catholic Church. I have read descriptions of him speaking of his love for the poor, his humility, and in this article a "man of peace and purpose". He is gaining admirers among Muslims, Hindus and Jews as a man that believes in interfaith dialog. Besides a few rumors about his past dealings during the so-called dirty war in Argentina, the response to the election of Jorge Bergoglio has been very positive from a very diverse group of persons. Even evangelical Christians have found hope in the way he has gone against the Vatican hierarchy and some of the traditions.
The term "New World Pope" has been applied to him. This is a very interesting term on different levels. Superficially, it is a description of the first non-European pope in 1,272 years. But the term implies much more. It brings to mind the much discussed new world order. And for some, it means a pope who may be more willing to alter church dogmas on issues such a homosexuality, birth control and the role of women in the church. There are many people who are seeking reconciliation with God on their terms and not on God's terms. They see the church in general bound to an old way of thinking. And they would like to have a man who will redefine the church to be in step with what they view as a more modern way of thinking.
Ban Ki-moon sees this pope as more than just a Roman Catholic leader. He sees him as a global spiritual leader who will accept all people based on a common morality that is world defined and not God defined. It remains to be seen if the new pope is the man he is looking for.
Ban Ki-moon sees this pope as more than just a Roman Catholic leader. He sees him as a global spiritual leader who will accept all people based on a common morality that is world defined and not God defined. It remains to be seen if the new pope is the man he is looking for.
The kings of the earth set themselves,
And the rulers take counsel together, Against Jehovah, and against
his anointed, saying , Let us break their bonds asunder, And cast
away their cords from us.
Psalms 2:2-3
