Writing with Juliet Iwelunmor

Today everyone watched, stared, and maybe even smiled as we celebrated the sight of white smoke billowing from skies. The graceful angles and the answered prayers that followed ushered Pope Leo squarely into the spotlight. Who is he? Why him? And how might we know when his ways are our ways? Only time will tell but for now, most people I know, especially Catholics joined to celebrate the latest Pope who simultaneously showed why global health is supreme, and always a call to serve.

Here is an American born Pope who has spent most of his time serving people in Peru. The sudden meaningful history of this Pope showcases how individual countries have so much to learn from each other, with service to each other too. Over the coming days, weeks, months and years, his history will become like a backbone, a foundation so to speak, of what goes into venturing out in service to the global world, how to even venture out building partnerships or shaping moral values for the good of everyone.

If in the past, health was shaped by scientific ignorance and fears, with tools for change based on respect and goodwill, it turns out that ignorance and fear still rule the day while our tools remain outdated and unmatched for the what ignorance and fear creates. But the presence of a Pope, one with thick and deep American roots, ushers the chance for deep sensibility, kindness, maybe even empathy that may stand tall, never be shaken by a storm. Also, if the next phase of global health is one where we not only survive but prevail, it’s our hope that we do so understanding why, knowing still that our understanding may still be far from reality, but hopeful that a new Pope, joins to showcase the importance of being global, being in service always to others. Keep this!