The pope as CEO: a leading management consultant on Pope Francis’ leadership style

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 4:59 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

An alert reader sent this my way: it’s an e-mail from Patrick Lencioni, who runs The Table Group, a management consulting firm: The Papacy is a singular, unique position, one that can’t really be compared to any other leadership role. Still, the events last week surrounding the election of Pope Francis brought to mind three surprising reminders of something I’ve written about before: the qualities of sacrifice, humility and selflessness that all true leaders must possess. The first example has... Read more

As seminarian, Jorge Bergoglio struggled with celibacy

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 4:59 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

From an interview the new pope gave last year: When I was a seminarian, I was dazzled by a girl I met at an uncle’s wedding. I was surprised by her beauty, her intellectual brilliance… and, well, I was bowled over for quite a while. I kept thinking and thinking about her. When I returned to the seminary after the wedding, I could not pray for over a week because when I tried to do so, the girl appeared in... Read more

Would the US State Department consider “monitoring” the election of a pope?

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 4:59 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

Check out this snippet from last Friday’s daily briefing with reporters. The briefer is Victoria Nuland. I think they were kidding. But these days, it’s hard to tell. QUESTION: Vatican. MS. NULAND: What about the Vatican? QUESTION: Well, do you regard it as a free and fair exercise in electing a leader of a country? MS. NULAND: We did a little bit more digging on this. We consider Vatican City a sovereign juridical state. As some of you know – I think Matt knows... Read more

Pope greets Jesuit superior general: “He insisted I treat him like any other Jesuit”

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 4:59 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

A statement from Jesuit Superior General Father Adolfo Nicholas, following yesterday’s meeting with his fellow Jesuit, Pope Francis: “At the personal invitation of the Pope Francis, I went to the Santa Marta House, which had been used for the Cardinals present at the Conclave, at 5:30 p.m. He was at the entrance and received me with the usual Jesuit embrace. We had a few pictures taken, at his request, and at my apologies for not keeping protocol he insisted that... Read more

Beautiful video: the moment the pope stopped the popemobile

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 4:59 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

This morning, in the middle of the biggest day of his life, he got out to bless a disabled man in St. Peter’s Square. Watch below. Read more

Pope Francis’ homily at inauguration Mass: “Let us be protectors of creation”

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 4:59 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

The full text of today’s homily, from the Vatican: Dear Brothers and Sisters, I thank the Lord that I can celebrate this Holy Mass for the inauguration of my Petrine ministry on the solemnity of Saint Joseph, the spouse of the Virgin Mary and the patron of the universal Church. It is a significant coincidence, and it is also the name-day of my venerable predecessor: we are close to him with our prayers, full of affection and gratitude. I offer... Read more

TV’s “The Bible”: “Hollywood will never be the same after this”

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 4:59 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

Every New Yorker’s paper of record—the Post!—dissects the phenomenal popularity of the hit cable series: ‘The Bible” is a phenomenon all over again. The miniseries — which has been airing over five Sunday nights with its finale neatly planned for Easter night — has shaken up the TV world. It’s drawing more than 12 million viewers — unheard of for cable TV where 6 million viewers count as a blockbuster — in its first showings. “Hollywood,” says one veteran TV... Read more

Mass appeal: some details of tomorrow’s papal inauguration—UPDATED

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 4:59 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

A few choice nuggets: Regarding the beginning of the ceremony, the Pope, once having entered the Basilica, will head to the Confession (St. Peter’s tomb under the high altar) while trumpets will announce the “Tu es Petrus”. The Pope will venerate the tomb of St. Peter, together with the Patriarchs and Major Archbishops of the Eastern Rite Catholic Churches (ten in number, four of whom are cardinals). He will then be presented with the Pallium, Ring, and Book of the... Read more

Letting go: the challenging lessons of Benedict and Francis

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 4:59 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

As we watch the historic papacy of Francis begin to unfold, and read about his choices and habits and preferences, it occurs to me that all of this, just like the resignation of his predecessor, amounts to a teachable moment. Francis is showing us something vital and necessary, if only we are willing to see. When Benedict renounced the papacy at the beginning of Lent, I preached about how he was teaching us, quite powerfully, that life is sometimes about... Read more

Archbishop Celli on the media and the new pope

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 4:59 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

From the Vatican: The President of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications, Archbishop Claudio Maria Celli, spoke words of greeting to Pope Francis in the name of the more than 5 thousand media professionals gathered for a special audience with communicators on Saturday morning in the Paul VI Hall: “Once again the media have played a positive role helping the wider public to be close to the events of these days. The world has watched with great interest, concern and... Read more

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