The seven lessons of Francesco: The seven pillars to use when building the synodal Church for the discarded people.
Lesson 1: Establishing a Ministry of Presence with Francesco
Do not remain in the office. Go out and encounter the discarded people where they live, struggle, hope, and dream.
A synodal Church begins with presence. It begins by walking with people, sharing in their joys and sorrows, and building relationships grounded in human dignity. Pope Francis gave us a powerful example of this ministry of presence: visiting refugees in Lampedusa, maintaining daily contact with the people of Gaza during the war, visiting slums during apostolic journeys, and choosing to travel to countries marked by conflict and suffering.
The first lesson of Francesco is simple: go to the margins and be present.
Lesson 2: Defending the Dignity of Francesco
Presence must lead to solidarity.
A ministry of presence can take many forms: establishing parishes among marginalized communities, running schools and hospitals, supporting development initiatives, and providing works of charity. Yet Pope Francis challenges us to go further. Whenever possible, we are called to stand alongside the discarded people in their struggle for justice and dignity.
Pope Francis consistently showed solidarity with popular movements and grassroots organizations fighting exclusion, poverty, and injustice.
The second lesson of Francesco is: do not only serve the poor—stand with them.
Lesson 3: Speaking Truth to Power with Francesco
A synodal Church does not speak about the poor before it has walked with the poor.
As we accompany the discarded people in their struggles, we enter into a process of discernment. We listen together to what the Holy Spirit is saying. Only then can we discover what God is calling us to say to the modern Pharaohs of our time.
Too often, the Church issues statements after consulting experts but without listening deeply to those who suffer. Pope Francis offers another path: first walk with the wounded, then discern, and then speak.
The third lesson of Francesco is: walk, discern, and then speak truth to power.
Lesson 4: Listening to the Holy Spirit Together with Francesco
The world is wounded, and nations are wounded. We often turn exclusively to experts for solutions. Pope Francis reminds us that the Holy Spirit also speaks through the poor, the forgotten, and those on the margins.
A synodal Church creates spaces where the discarded people can discern, reflect, and share what God is revealing about healing, justice, and hope. Their voices are not merely objects of pastoral concern; they are sources of wisdom for the whole Church and society.
The fourth lesson of Francesco is: learn to listen to the Holy Spirit together with the discarded people.
This is the School of Francesco: a place where the Church learns to walk with the discarded, defend their dignity, speak truth to power, and discern together what the Holy Spirit is saying to our wounded world.
