Vatican Spokesman Father
Federico Lombardi on Tuesday hailed Pope Francis's qualities as
a moral leader with the third anniversary of his election as
pope coming on Sunday.
"I have the impression that the pope's authoritativeness
as a teacher of humanity and the Church in a global perspective
is growing," Lombardi told Vatican Radio.
"He is present on a global horizon and he addresses the
issues facing humanity and the Church today with authority.
"I'm talking about issues of peace and war, which truly
touch us all, I'm talking about the issues of contemporary
society in a context of globalisation, the throwaway culture,
justice and participation...
"Humanity looks to Pope Francis as a person who helps it
to orientate itself and find messages of reference for
situations that in many ways are of great uncertainty.
"So he is a credible leader, a credible teacher who, by
doing his service of a specifically religious and moral
character, gives effective help.
"He is listened to by the powerful of the Earth. And the
powerful and the poor are equally important and necessary for
humanity's path towards tomorrow".
Pope Francis is currently doing spiritual exercises at a
lenten retreat at Ariccia, near Rome.
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