Journal of African Studies and Sustainable Development

Compassion as a key characteristic of Christian leadership, which has its origin in God and manifested in the life and ministry of Jesus and the apostles, is the act of revealing to the world the loving kindness of God through the instrumentality of the Church. Looking at the long history of the Church, there were times that the compassionate leadership of Christ was either lacking or not fully manifested in the teaching office of the Church. This has led to counter witnessing especially by the Church’s authority leading to scandals and manipulations. Pope Francis in his pontificate has revealed to the world the compassionate leadership of Christ in his words and actions. His mission which is modelled after Christ emphasizes the mercy of God, listening to all, with a heart open to the poor, a voice of the voiceless etc. Since all the baptised and especially those called to the ministerial priesthood are called to perpetuate this pattern of leadership in their ministry, Pope Francis in his pontificate stands as a pointer to Christ’s life and ministry, which is a model of compassionate leadership. In this article, the writer employing analytic, historical, narrative and deductive methods of research, to paint a vivid image of compassionate leadership as illustrated in the writings, sermons, teachings, actions of Pope Francis and even literatures written about him. The aim is to once more promote the place and indispensability of compassionate leadership in the Church, especially in this era of individualism.

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