JRS: A journey continues on the memory of Pope Francis

Linda Buroni – Vatican City

After the death of Pope Francis, whom he knew and embraced his call to defend the most vulnerable rights and dignity, they unanimously express his gratitude for his vision and the inspiration he presented to them.

Among them, Brother Michael Shouf, SJ, who is the international director of the Jesuit Service of Refugees – JRS – is the mission of accompanying, serving and motivated the rights of refugees and displaced persons. In a conversation with Radio Vaticana, Pope Francis described as a “global voice” in a world that is increasingly characterized by fragmentation and indifference.

“He gave a vision to the refugees, he gave them a place in the world and said,” You are part of human society, “he said. “

Lapaz defender

Brother Michael explained that the martyrdom, Michael, was not only a speech, but was deeply embodied in the gestures of the Pope: embraced the immigrants, gave them the word and defended their dignity. He said: “He knew very well that dignity is necessary to create peace, so I think we are losing with Pope Francis not just a refugee defender, more than that, we are losing a defender of peace.”

As for the Jesuit service for refugees, the twelve years of the Pope was from a mood and deep alignment. Michael said: “He built for us, this helped us build our voice – clarity and courage – even when that means facing the current.”

While the world enters what Schöpf described as a “world of empires” – characterized by competition, turmoil and multiplicity of pluralism – he expressed his hope that the new Pope will continue to defend the dignity of each person with the same urgency.

Your memories

When thinking about his personal relationship with the late Pope, Brother Michael recalled the simplicity and humanity of his meetings. By living in a community of Jesus in Rome, he had the opportunity to receive Pope Francis on unofficial visits. “I simply came to eat, drink coffee with us, as you will do with an uncle or friend.”

Other meetings had a more baptized tone. One left a permanent impression that was a small open exchange around the profession of the Jesuit brothers. “It came without a hadith that was prepared in advance. He simply sat and listened.

“There was no person you had to agree with him completely because I believed in dialogue, and this is what I also eat for my own work: to be open because the Holy Spirit could only start in dialogue to find a better solution,” he said.

Michael Schöpf SJ (right) during his work in JRS (JRS)

Construction

The spirit of listening, delegating and dialogue is now trying to do on his mission in JRS.

“Pope Francis has learned to be open, and ask God’s will in the world, with a focus on peace.”