CBCP urges public to emulate Pope Francis

MANILA, Philippines - The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) on Thursday asked the faithful to emulate Pope Francis, who has been named as Time magazine’s Person of the Year.

CBCP president Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Socrates Villegas said that imitating the 76-year-old Pontiff, who follows God’s teachings, is one way of giving him honor.

“I encourage our Catholics to stay focused on the Pope’s eyes – always on God. The sincerest form of honoring him is to imitate him. In his simplicity and down to earth faith we have much to learn,” Villegas said in a text message.

“I am very sure that Pope Francis gratefully accepts the honor not for himself but for God. He has always spoken about putting God at the center not the church, not churchmen,” he added.

Villegas also said that Time’s recognition of the Pope is “a refreshing wind of new life that God has given the world.”

Pope Francis is the third leader of the Roman Catholic Church named as Time’s Person of the Year, according to an article from the Catholic News Service posted on CBCPNews.

Blessed John Paul II and Blessed John XXIII were named as Person of the Year in 1994 and 1962, respectively.

Vatican spokesman Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi said that “it’s a positive sign that one of the most prestigious recognitions in the international press” goes to a person who “proclaims to the world spiritual, religious and moral values and speaks effectively in favor of peace and greater justice.”

He also said that Pope Francis does not want to become famous or gain accolades, but it would make him happy if all this attention would help bring the people closer to the Gospel.

The Pope “does not seek fame and success, because he serves to proclaim the Gospel and God’s love for everyone,” Lombardi said. But if the recognition “attracts women and men and gives them hope, the Pope is happy.”

The Pontiff would also be pleased if the magazine’s decision “means that many have understood, at least implicitly, this message” of hope, Lombardi added.