Broken windows make headlines. Robbing the poor does not.

"Broken wiindows make headlines. Robbing the poor does not."

This is the lead into an interview, with the Archbishop of Milan, who was commenting on recent, violent riots in his city.  I did see these riots, reported on the news, noting that the violence was even occurring in the Cathedral square, in the city centre.  I was astonished to see this.  I will give the context.    

Milan is a great city, a wealthy city.  It was once the seat of the Roman Emperor.  St Ambrose, a Doctor of the Church, was its archbishop in the late 4th century.  He was a noted preacher, a brilliant theologian, a courageous leader of the Church, who stood up to the Emperor Theodosius, on matters of moral leadership.  Ambrose was surely no whimp.  

The present archbishop, Archbishop Mario Delpini, stands in this noble line of archbishops, of this historical See, in the universal Church.  Its present day cathedral is just magnificent.  Its importance is highlighted by having been the site of St Augustine's baptism, by Ambrose, in 386 CE. 

So violence seen at the very doors, of this world renowned cathedral, could not be simply dismissed.  Well, Archbishop Mario did not dismiss it, offering a superb, public response.  In doing so, he neither made scapegoats nor laid blame.  He just noted that all violence is wrong, and all violence is to be named, not just that which was seen on the news.  

His response was brilliant, being a purely pastoral response.  As their bishop, he asked to meet all his flock, getting to know their problems and their life, so as to be their companion and guide.  These were his actual words:

I would like to risk building relationships, sharing hours of school, soccer games, walks in the mountains.  There, to understand, or at least to hold out a hand."

This is true leadership, both moral and pastoral.  I see the same in Pope Leo.  His openness and ability to being human with people is just humbling, showing us the way for leading our world into harmony and fellowship.  

Broken windows highlight where our world is going wrong.  They call us to mend our ways of robbing others, not to play blame games.  The Pope does not take sides.  How true!  We simply stand up and look after each other, working for what is good and right for all.