"A Pope Without a Plan" - America Magazine, a Jesuit Weekly

The Editors July 1-8, 2013

Pope Francis’ recent address to several thousand children from Jesuit schools did not go quite as his audience expected. And that was fine with Francis. In fact, the change of plan was his idea. After greeting the crowd, Pope Francis ignored his five pages of prepared text in favor of taking impromptu questions from students and teachers.

In a world in which church leaders are sometimes seen as guarded or resistant to debate, the pope’s frank and open approach in this talk and in general has been widely welcomed. His comments from that day ricocheted throughout social media in a way that excerpts from lengthy, pre-written remarks rarely do. Perhaps he was following the very advice he gave to the school children: “We need to be magnanimous, with big hearts and without fear.” Francis is not afraid of being questioned, and this tendency is very much in line with a properly Catholic spirit of openness. (Alan: "Big hearts without fear" recalls the foundational passage in John's First Epistle: There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love." I know no Christian conservative who, at bottom is not driven by fear. Indeed I know no Christian conservative who does not actively promote fear.  
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+John+4%3A18&version=NIV)

In speaking without notes, Pope Francis conveys an easy sense of authenticity. He is speaking from the heart about matters close to his heart. Through his open and encouraging nature, he embodies the way in which all of us are encouraged to let go of our own desires and embrace the freedom that comes with turning one’s entire self over to God, even when that means facing an uncertain future. Through his candor, Pope Francis has set an example for all Catholics to listen lovingly to questions and respond with charity and open, generous hearts.