Pope willingness to show frailty inspires young and old alike

Pope Francis's frailty was on full view as he left Rome's Gemelli hospital after five weeks battling pneumonia that nearly killed him. He could barely lift his arms to bless the crowd. His eyes were sunken, face bloated. And he visibly gasped for breath as he was wheeled back inside from the balcony.

Throughout history, the powerful have concealed their weaknesses. But in contrast, Francis has never been shy about showing his weakness. For many, his willingness to be seen in all his infirmity serves as an example to young and old alike that fragility is part of the human condition - and should be embraced.

Francis' frailty is integral to his ministry of inclusion, which preaches against treating people on the margins as disposable, said Archbishop Vincenzo Paglia, president of the Pontifical Council for Life.

"Fragility for us believers is not to be avoided or excluded. On the contrary it is a great teaching,'' Paglia said. "It is in sharp contrast with an efficiency-oriented culture, with a performance culture.

"This is not a state, or a company, it is a community of the faithful, a family. And in a family it is possible to give an authoritative leadership, also if not up to full physical strength."

He added that it was an important lesson also for young people "who should understand that they too are fragile, otherwise they close themselves off.''

ASSOCIATED PRESS