Pope Francis surprised the church with his far-ranging interview with Jesuit publications. He makes many comments that were almost shocking in their candor, honesty and openness about the church and his own life. It's not a format we are used to with popes or most leaders. What stayed with me in my reading of the interview is summed up in the very Ignatian word discernment.

And, if you have read the interview, you know that he uses the word a few times. This is clearly a man of discernment, a pope who is listening. He speaks of his time as a Jesuit provincial when he was in his late thirties and how he was so much an authoritarian.  He listened to God's action in his personal life experience. After much life experience, he has grown and is more focused in a leadership style rooted in consultation, discernment, and listening.

Many words have been used to describe discernment, but I think the most important aspect is listening. Pope Francis has listened to and been shaped by his experiences – both successes and failures. He has also listened to the men and women he has ministered to – the woman in the confessional who regrets her abortion many years ago and has lived with pain for many years or the gay man who wonders why he has been alienated and isolated by the church. Pope Francis is listening to the church.

And by church, he makes it very clear that he means the people of God. He says, "the church is the people of God on the journey through history, with joys and sorrows."  He has clearly shown in the past few months that his response is mercy and compassion. That is the same gift offered by Jesus! Francis says, "the thing the church needs most today is the ability to heal wounds and to warm the hearts of the faithful".The news outlets have focused on the most sensational words from the interview with Pope Francis.

For me, though, its is more helpful to see clear evidence of his spiritual depth. His listening to others is informed by his attentive listening to God. This is a leader whose love for the church allows him to look beyond particular issues, to look with love at the person in front of him. In an Ignatian worldview that is what we call contemplation, what one writer describes as taking a "long, loving look at the real." Long and loving! Discernment takes time. Francis is no fool about that reality. Let us stay with him on that "journey through history" with the other people of God! It's been just six months and he has accomplished so much by his openness and warmth.