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The dictionary describes tenderness as being acutely sensitive to pain and the feelings of others. Pope Francis, in his new message to all people, said, “Tenderness is the path of choice for the strongest, most courageous men and women.”

America presents us many examples of such people. One is Abraham Lincoln, who said, “I have not willingly planted a thorn in any man’s bosom.” His whole life revealed great tenderness. After the civil war he declared, “Rebel leaders need not expect he would take any part in hanging or killing even the worst of them.” Defeated officers were allowed to keep their private horses and the common soldiers, with the approval of Lincoln, “could go back to their homes and families.”

Another who revealed great tenderness in the human family was Nelson Mandela. After 26 years of harsh punishment in jail, on his release he forgave those who had abused and imprisoned him.

John Lewis suffered in America for his efforts to obtain full civil rights for all Americans. He was arrested over 40 times and beaten so savagely he had to be hospitalized. Elected in his later years to Congress, he had such tenderness that he was called “the conscience of Congress.”

Mother Teresa of India received the Nobel Prize for the spirit of tenderness she introduced to the human family.

Sister Lucy Kurien has given such tender care to thousands of Indian women and children that she was honored by the Hindu president of India two years ago.

My good friend and former altar boy, Fr. Paul Magnano, has written three articles on the Pope’s letter which were published in the La Conner Weekly News. He wrote, “The Pope encourages us to follow the example of the Good Samaritan, to become caring for those who are despised and excluded, particularly migrants and refugees.” He also recalled the visit of St. Francis to Jerusalem at the time of the Crusades. He was the guest of Sultan Malik al Kamil for two weeks. On his return Francis sent a message to all his followers to respect Muslims.

The present pandemic is calling the human family in every country to practice tenderness and care for each other. A worse pandemic is on the horizon. General McCaffrey, an expert in atomic weapons, now resides in Seattle. He wrote in the Seattle Times Oct. 30 about the danger of atomic warfare. He wrote, “We have ten years until Armageddon.”

We need to appeal to the tenderness of God to be spared. An act of tenderness in a Milan hospital spoke to millions. A senior priest, Fr. Giuseppe Berardelli, was ill and using a respirator. Hearing that a young boy needed one he donated his own and died. As his body was taken to the cemetery, every window on the street along which he was carried had people weeping and also waving at the great example of tenderness.

Father William Treacy is a very active 101-year old Catholic priest living in Skagit County.