Papież Franciszek wielokrotnie wypowiadał się na temat kapłaństwa i swojej wizji kapłana w nowym tysiącleciu. Istota kapłaństwa nie zmienia się, ale styl, sposób sprawowania urzędu i metody postępowania muszą się zmieniać zgodnie z nowymi okolicznościami życia. Postać kapłana i jego posługa są zawsze wezwane do „przedefiniowania się”, przekształcenia i niejako „nawrócenia”, zgodnie z duchowym i teologicznym rozwojem Kościoła, uwzględniając znaki czasu obecne w konkretnym życiu Ludu Bożego. Niniejszy artykuł jest próbą uchwycenia najważniejszych cech kapłana podkreślanych przez papieża Franciszka, które wydają się istotne w nowej erze intensywnych przemian.

New priests for a new epoch – the vision of the priest according to pope Francis

Pope Francis has spoken many times about the priesthood and his vision of the priest in the new millennium. The essence of the priesthood does not change, but the style, the manner of holding office and the methods of conduct must change according to the new circumstances of life. The figure of the priest and his ministry are always called to "redefine themselves", to be transformed and in some way "converted", according to the spiritual and theological development of the Church, and taking into account the signs of the times present in the concrete life of the People of God. This article is an attempt to capture the most important features of the priest emphasized by Pope Francis, which seem important in the new era of intense changes.

Keywords: priest, priesthood, vocation, qualities of a priest, identity of a priest, Pope Francis

Pope Francis has spoken many times about the priesthood and his vision of the priest in the new millennium. The essence of the priesthood does not change, but the style, the manner of holding office and the methods of conduct must change according to the new circumstances of life. The figure of the priest and his ministry are always called to "redefine themselves", to be transformed and in some way "converted", according to the spiritual and theological development of the Church, and taking into account the signs of the times present in the concrete life of the People of God. This article is an attempt to capture the most important features of the priest emphasized by Pope Francis, which seem important in the new era of intense changes.