Mansfield Patch Q&A: Local Priest's Impressions of the New Pope

The Catholic Church made history this month, electing a new pope to serve in Vatican City.

Here in Mansfield, we went to St. Mary's Church and sat down with Rev. Msgr. Stephen J. Avila to ask him about Pope Francis.

Patch: What were your first impressions of the new Pope?

Avila: Initially, I really didn’t know much about him. I think like so many of us, we were taken by surprise. But, after listening to a couple of his talks and reading about him, I am absolutely delighted at the selection.

Patch: What makes you delighted?

Avila: I think in his humility, his focus on service of those in need – I think it speaks to so many of us who are priests and those who are laymen and women in responding to Christ’s call in just a very clear and humble way of service.

He’s not only saying it, but then you look at his life he has been dedicated to serving the poor.

Right now, the church is in a New Evangelization – ‘how do we get the message out?’ and I think he’s showing us a very clear way to do that.

Patch: Will this bring a new emphasis to service in the Catholic Church?

Avila: Since he’s been elected I’m sensing a real sense of renewed dedication to our mission. It’s always been a part of the Catholic Church. It’s a hallmark of the Catholic Church. We educate more children and we take care of more hospitals than any other private organization in the world. It’s just refocusing us on it.

Patch: Is it significant that he is from this side of the Atlantic?

Avila: He’s right now in an area where Latin America and South America – 40 percent of Catholics are from that area. It’s significant that we recognize that Catholics are continuing to spread out through the world when it had been so concentrated in Europe.