America’s Leadership Lessons From Pope Francis

The visit of Pope Francis to America demonstrated enduring, inspirational, and transformational leadership lessons.

These lessons serve as a clarion call to renew individuals, families, communities, and the nation.

There is no one at this present time anywhere on the planet, other than Pope Francis, exemplifying quintessential leadership principles to believers and nonbelievers as well.

The heart of his charismatic ability to transform is a sincere compassion that has humility as its foundation.

Humility: Essential for Authentic Leadership

America was carefully observing the words and actions of Pope Francis during his visit.

His words were efficacious and warmly received because his actions boldly proclaim humility, the essential principle of an effective leader.

Although Pope Francis has the opportunity to live in royalty at the Vatican, he humbly declines living in the opulent papal apartment at the Apostolic Palace and lives in a simple guesthouse suite.

As the first pope in 110 years not to live in the papal apartments, he also takes his meals in the common dining room after morning services with Vatican employees.

In America, although offered to dine with leaders of Congress, he chose a lunch with the homeless of the nation’s capital, a gesture of profound humility.

The humility of the pope is dramatically expressed through his concern for the poor, destitute, and suffering.

As observed throughout his visit, his chosen method of travel was a Fiat and open pope mobile rather than a bulletproof limousine. He continually searched for babies to hold, the needy to bless, and the sick to comfort.

The pope’s decision to stop his motorcade to receive a letter from a 5-year-old pleading for assistance to prevent her parent’s deportation indicates his sensitivity.

Although unreasonable to expect American leaders to negate security measures like the pope, the holy father's personification of humility especially his compassion toward the downtrodden, is worthy of emulation.

Virtue Empowers Eloquence

Eloquence only has the power to influence an audience when it is empowered by the virtuous lifestyle of the speaker.

Abraham Lincoln and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. exemplified this lifestyle, and it served as the catalyst for their persuasive eloquence.

Pope Francis honored both of these great Americans during his address to Congress, but most importantly, he honored our icons through his humility. His eloquence was empowered by his humility as he addressed the critical issues of our time including the following:

Immigration – “We, the people of this continent, are not fearful of foreigners, because most of us once were foreigners.”

Refugee Crisis - "We must not be taken aback by their numbers, but rather view them as persons, seeing their faces and listening to their stories, trying to respond as best we can to their situation."

Climate Change - "The poorest are those who suffer most from such offenses, for three serious reasons: they are cast off by society, forced to live off what is discarded and suffer unjustly from the abuse of the environment. They are part of today's widespread and quietly growing 'culture of waste.'"

Drug Trafficking - "I would mention another kind of conflict, which is not always so open, yet is silently killing millions of people. Another kind of war, experienced by many of our societies as a result of the narcotics trade. A war which is taken for granted and poorly fought. Drug trafficking is, by its very nature, accompanied by trafficking in persons, money laundering, the arms trade, child exploitation, and other forms of corruption."

Prison Reform - “It is painful when we see prison systems, which are not concerned to care for wounds, to soothe pain, to offer new possibilities."

Sexual Abuse Scandal - “It continues to overwhelm me with shame that the people who were charged with taking care of these tender ones violated their trust and caused them tremendous pain.”

Altruism – “Now is the time for courageous actions and strategies, aimed at implementing a ‘culture of care’ and ‘an integrated approach to combating poverty, restoring dignity to the excluded, and at the same time protecting nature.”

Final Reflections

Pope Francis has returned to Rome, but his words and actions must remain with us, inspiring Americans to reawaken the nation.

When character, sincerity, and humility serve as our core values, the destiny of America’s moral decency will be reignited.

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Linkedin: Vincent J. Bove Consulting, Speaker Services, Publishing

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As authored for Vincent’s weekly column titled “Reawakening the Nation” for the Epoch Times, 35 countries, 21 languages and growing.

Photos
1. Pope Francis with crowd and American Flag. (Catholic New Media Network)
2. Pope Francis embraces a young man in a wheelchair during the World Meeting of Families in the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, in Philadelphia, on Sept. 26, 2015. (Alessandra Tarantino/AP)
3. Pope Francis greets inmates during his visit to Curran Fromhold Correctional Facility in Philadelphia, on Sept. 27, 2015. (David Maialetti/The Philadelphia Inquirer via AP)

The Threat Exists: Protecting Pope Francis in America

On September 10, I attended a NYPD SHIELD conference with over 500 law enforcement and private security professionals at One Police Plaza in New York City.

NYPD SHIELD is an outstanding public private partnership dedicated to countering terrorism through information sharing.

The agenda for the event focused extensively on the upcoming visit of Pope Francis.

During his opening remarks, Commissioner William J. Bratton stressed that American law enforcement, specifically the NYPD, have an unprecedented upcoming security challenge later this month.

Bratton emphasized that it would be the first time that the U.N. General Assembly, had simultaneous visits with a pope and our president.

Compounding these security complexities, with the United Nations event alone involving leaders from 170 countries, Bratton also noted that the Jewish high holyday of Yom Kippur and a Central Park concert with an estimated 100,000 people will also be taking place.

Each of these events alone demands meticulously orchestrated security principles of prevention, mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery. But with Pope Francis at the same time making spontaneous encounters with people, the need for impeccable vigilance is intensified further.

Vigilance: An Essential Security Principle

Honoring the NYPD SHIELD concept, I gave a briefing on September 17 to 100 members and guests of the Bergen County Police Chiefs Association (BCPCA) in New Jersey. The attendees included police chiefs from over 70 jurisdictions and the FBI.

It has been my privilege to serve the BCPCA as a committee spokesperson addressing issues of leadership, violence prevention, crisis planning, and community policing at monthly meetings for the last 12 years.

During my briefing I shared concerns addressed at the NYPD SHIELD conference and disseminated copies of my February 27 Epoch Times article titled “Terrorism Concerns Accelerate: Protecting America.”

Although Pope Francis is an inspirational leader of forgiveness, compassion, and charity to many religious persuasions and nonbelievers as well, I stressed to the BCPCA that there are individuals with nefarious intentions.

The commander of the Vatican security forces has confirmed “the threat exists” against Pope Francis from ISIS, although he stated “we know of no plan for an attack against the Vatican or the Holy Father.”

Pope Francis personifies everything that not only the Islamic State despises, but he is also a target to others who would profane religion to justify violence including al-Qaida, Boko Haram, al-Shabab, or others with a demented agenda, including lone wolf assailants.

Recently, the FBI arrested a 15-year-old boy outside of Philadelphia for allegedly threatening an ISIS inspired assault on Pope Francis while he tours America.

Pope John Paul II: Attempted Assassination

The May 13, 1981 attempted assassination of Pope John Paul II, who was seriously wounded by gunfire in Saint Peter’s Square, is a horrifying reminder of hate, violence, and depravity.

The assailant, an escaped Turkish murderer, fired four shots at the pontiff, one of which hit him in the abdomen narrowly missing vital organs; and the other that hit his left hand.

After being rushed to a Rome hospital, the pope underwent more than five hours of surgery and survived after being listed in critical but stable condition.

Although the motives of the assailant remain obscure, one lesson is painstakingly obvious, that a pope is a possible target of assassination.

National Security Special Event

The visit of Pope Francis has been deemed by what the Department of Homeland Security labels a “national security special event” and will be under the command of the Secret Service.

Protecting the pope will be an incredible task demanding collaboration of the NYPD, Secret Service, FBI, Department of Homeland Security, many other law enforcement agencies including the Vatican's Swiss Guard, and private security professionals.

Complementing these dedicated professionals, the vigilant eyes, ears, and voices of the public are also critical to protecting Pope Francis and other possible soft or high profile targets representing our cherished way of life.

Although there is no specific or credible threat at this time, let us be vigilant in protecting Pope Francis and our safeguarding our homeland as to be forewarned is to be forearmed.

Note Well:

Linkedin: Vincent J. Bove Consulting, Speaker Services, Publishing

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As authored for Vincent’s weekly column titled “Reawakening the Nation” for the Epoch Times, 35 countries, 21 languages and growing.

Photos
1. Pope Francis, Saint Peter's Square, May 13,2013.(Edgar Jimenez)
2. Numerous law enforcement agencies collaborate at NYPD headquarters on Sept. 14, 2015 as part of Pope Francis security preparations. (Courtesy FBI)
3. Pope Francis, Bethlehem, May 25, 2014. (Mustafa Badar)

Videos Are Transforming Police-Community Relations

Video technology is an inestimable resource when used ethically, responsibly, and legally to serve society.

This technology must have an unconditional respect for human dignity, civil rights, and moral principles of truthfulness, transparency, and accountability.

Specifically, video technology has a critical role to play in America’s need for improving police-community relations.

Tennis Star, NYPD Incident

The NYPD is in the spotlight due to a recently recorded surveillance video with a plainclothes officer aggressively blindsiding former tennis star James Blake.

In the video, Blake is grabbed, thrown to the ground, and handcuffed behind his back as he lay face down on a Manhattan sidewalk.

Blake was videoed being completely passive and not resisting through the entire incident.

Once ranked as the fourth best player in the world, Blake was waiting in front of the Hyatt Grand Hotel for his ride to the US Open for a corporate appearance.

According to Blake, he was then detained for 10-15 minutes without this officer or any other properly identifying themselves.

This incident demands an honest assessment, comprehensive investigation, and dignified interaction between Blake and law enforcement.

It also requires investigating past complaints against the officer who is the defendant in at least two previous lawsuits alleging excessive use of force.

NYPD Commissioner’s Ethical Track Record

NYPD Commissioner William J. Bratton is an honest professional with a track record of character, ethics, and leadership.

Bratton’s credentials involve 45 years of policing that obey the Constitution and highligt police-community collaboration.

I am confident that this incident will be impeccably investigated and that Bratton will exemplify moral courage with his decision.

Although the investigation of this particular incident with Blake is in process, an incident on May 1, 2007 with the Los Angeles Police firing rubber bullets on demonstrators and journalists at an immigration rally in MacArthur Park comes to mind.

Bratton, who was LAPD Chief at that time, stated that it was the “worst incident of this type I have ever encountered in 37 years in law enforcement.”

He also told reporters at the time, “I’m not going to defend the indefensible…things were done that shouldn’t have been done.”

About 60 members of an elite LAPD street unit were taken off duty by Bratton and were not allowed to return to active street duties until they had undergone retraining.

Bratton’s honesty is what the NYPD and 21st Century Policing in America deserves.

Videos: Transparency, Accountability, Reform

The video age is here to stay and will only intensify with more surveillance cameras, police body cameras, and police videos by civilians.

Additional videos documenting incidents include the following:

• August 7 – Officer Brad Miller is terminated for using poor judgement after a surveillance video shows the moments prior to his killing of an unarmed black college student in Arlington, Texas.
• July 7 – Officer Ray Tensing is charged with murder after his body camera shows him shooting an unarmed black man after a traffic stop at the University of Cincinnati.
• June 5 – Officer David Eric Casebolt is videoed pointing a gun at teenagers in bathing suits and shoving a black girl’s face into the ground in McKinney, Texas.
• April 12 – Six officers in Baltimore are charged with crimes including murder after a raw video surfaces.
• April 4 – Officer Michael T. Slager is recorded shooting eight times toward the back of an unarmed black man running away after a traffic stop.
• July 17, 2014 – Eric Garner, 43, died after NYPD officers tried to arrest him for illegally selling cigarettes. The video documents him repeatedly saying, “I can’t breathe.”

Final Reflections

Although countless acts of meritorious, exemplary, and courageous acts by police take place daily that never go viral, any video documenting concerns must be comprehensively, impartially, and honestly investigated to enhance police-community relations.

Videos portraying a small percentage of improper behavior must never be sensationalized by the media or anyone to exploit the honorable service of the overwhelming majority of law enforcement professionals.

Society must use video technology to honestly address issues of civil rights, justice, transparency, accountability, and reform.

Video technology will then be an effective tool for reawakening the nation, not an instrument of discord, sensationalism, or turmoil.

Note Well:

Linkedin: Vincent J. Bove Consulting, Speaker Services, Publishing

Join Vincent’s Linkedin Group: The Sentinel: Reawakening the Nation

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As authored for Vincent’s weekly column titled “Reawakening the Nation” for the Epoch Times, 35 countries, 21 languages and growing.

Photo
1. NYPD Graduation, July 2, 2015. (Courtesy NYPD)
2. This image taken from a surveillance camera and released by the New York Police Department shows former tennis star James Blake (R), being arrested by plainclothes officer James Frascatore, outside of the Grand Hyatt New York Hotel, in New York City, on Sept. 9, 2015. Blake was mistaken for an identity-theft suspect that Police Commissioner William J. Bratton said looked like Blake's "twin." Bratton apologized to Blake. (NYPD via AP)
3. NYPD Commissioner William J. Bratton at a news conference on the mistaken arrest of James Blake, a retired top-10 professional tennis player, in New York City, on Sept. 10, 2015. NYPD Chief of Detectives Robert K. Boyce is pictured on the right. (Spencer Platt/Getty Images)
4. The cover story titled "Videos Are Strengthening Police-Community Accountability" authored by Vincent J. Bove, for The Chief of Police, Winter 2015 edition, Vol. XXX, No. 4. This story of an expanded version of his Epoch Times article.
5. Rialto PD Police Sgt. with body cameras. (Courtesy USDOJ COPS July 2015 newsletter)
6. Police officer with body camera. (Courtesy USDOJ COPS July 2015 newsletter)

9/11 Remembrance: Compassion, Honor, Patriotism

As the nation pauses on Patriot Day, Friday, September 11, 2015—the solemn anniversary of 9/11, the day that changed America forever—it is necessary to honor the fallen, their loved ones, and all the heroes who served and continue to serve.

We must honor them eternally and in remembering 9/11, we must be passionately dedicated to transform America.

Honoring the Fallen

The victims from the World Trade Center, Flight 11, Flight 175, Flight 77, Flight 93, and the Pentagon will forever remind us of that fateful day.

All across America—in our churches, synagogues, mosques, communities, homes, and hearts—we must pray for the repose of their souls and for peace in the hearts of their families, friends, and communities.

As America solemnly reflects on of 9/11 and mourns for the nearly 3,000 lost lives, we must remain vigilant in securing and strengthening our nation.

America must not ever allow their passing to be forgotten. We must remain vigilant and rededicate ourselves to the virtues inspired by the 9/11 tragedy: compassion, honor, patriotism.

Honoring the 9/11 Heroes

The anniversary of 9/11 must inspire our country to honor countless heroes who served victims and their loved ones.

These heroes, many whom are unsung, represent the best in all of us and rose to the occasion from every imaginable profession, nationality, religion, and ethnicity.

America is forever grateful for these dedicated men and women-including our military-and their tireless service to community, colleagues, and country.

In Remembrance: Detective James L. Zadroga

In January 2006, I attended the funeral of NYPD Detective James L. Zadroga in North Arlington, New Jersey.

Detective Zadroga, died at 34-years-old, of a respiratory disease attributed to his heroic participation in rescue and recovery operations in the decimated World Trade Center site following the 9/11 attacks.

Zadroga was the first member of the NYPD who died as a result of his exposure to toxic chemicals at the attack site. Although Zadroga was a healthy non-smoker, he developed a chronic cough immediately after his work began in the rubble. Within months of his valiant work at the site, his health deteriorated into shortness of breath and the inability to walk very short distances.

Although I was not privileged to personally know this 9/11 hero, Detective Zadroga was the son of my colleague, Chief Joseph Zadroga. Chief Zadroga and I worked together for many years on numerous community policing, school violence prevention, and terrorism awareness initiatives for the Bergen County Law & Public Safety Institute in Mahwah, New Jersey.

Honoring Detective Zadroga and all 9/11 heroes, the James L. Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act was enacted five years ago.

This law justly provides compensation and health coverage to heroic firefighters, police, first responders, and others suffering from health ailments associated with toxic air they breathed at Ground Zero after the attack.

This Act is now up for extension. Otherwise, it will expire and leave individuals who have fallen sick without coverage.

Congress must act swiftly and decisively in the name of justice, ensuring the Zadroga Act is permanently extended with the funds required for 9/11 victims.

Renewal, Transformation, Triumph

America must rise from the 9/11 tragedy with dedication to renewal, transformation, and triumph in our great land.

Our nation must shine as a beacon of compassion with assistance to those suffering from the consequences of 9/11 and the vigilance needed to prevent additional tragedies.

The lessons learned from “The 9/11 Commission Report: Final Report of the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States” must be reviewed, understood, and implemented to ensure America’s security.

A nation champions leadership, vigilance, and collaboration when it remembers those in need, remains dedicated to security, and responds with full force understanding, justice, and benevolence.

Note Well:

Linkedin: Vincent J. Bove Consulting, Speaker Services, Publishing

Join Vincent’s Linkedin Group: The Sentinel: Reawakening the Nation

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As authored for Vincent’s weekly column titled “Reawakening the Nation” for the Epoch Times, 35 countries, 21 languages and growing.

Photos

1. A guest carries a photograph during the commemoration ceremony at the National September 11 Memorial in New York, N.Y., on the tenth anniversary of the 9/11 attacks against the United States, Sunday, Sept. 11, 2011. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
2. A woman touches a name on the edge of the North Pool at the National September 11 Memorial in New York, N.Y., Sunday, Sept. 11, 2011. (Official White House Photo by Chuck Kennedy)
3. Detective James Zadroga with his wife Ronda who died in 2004.
4. September 11 Memorial at the James Zadroga Soccer Field, N. Arlington, New Jersey (NYC JD)