“I am a sinner.”

These were the words that Pope Francis uttered in a September 2013 interview with La Civiltà Cattolica, an Italian Jesuit newspaper. Such a blunt statement made by him was unexpected and shocking, given the negative and human connotation that sometimes comes with the word “sinner.”

This is not the first statement from the newly-elected pope that has sparked conversation and caused some to raise their eyebrows. His comments on “hot button” topics, particularly gay rights, have been completely different from those of the popes that preceded him.

In the same interview as above, he addressed homosexuality.

“Tell me: When God looks at a gay person, does he endorse the existence of this person with love or reject and condemn this person?” Pope Francis asked. “In life, God accompanies persons and we must accompany them, starting from their situation. It is necessary to accompany them with mercy. When that happens, the Holy Spirit inspires the priest to say the right thing.”

I grew up as a “cradle Catholic” and attended Catholic school for 13 years of my life. As I grew older and became more politically aware, I began to develop views that were extremely contradictory to my own faith. Recently, I had been skeptical of my religion and whether or not I wanted to continue practicing it throughout my adult life because of my political and social views.

Being a part of an organization that was not supportive of homosexuals and their lifestyles didn’t sit well with me. While I am not homosexual, I did not support the idea of saying it was “wrong” to be gay.

It was not until Pope Francis’ recent comments that I had decided to give Catholicism another chance. He preaches practices of true love for all human beings in a religion that historically has looked down upon women and homosexuals. His refreshing viewpoints are what are changing the sometimes outdated practices of the Catholic Church.

“As a young Catholic I think that Pope Francis has been an incredibly uplifting and transformational figure for the Catholic Church and my faith personally,” Peer minister at the St. Thomas More Newman Center Sarah Schneider said. “I think that he has reignited the hearts of many Catholics around the world who before were complacent in their faith and unaware of the possibility of seeing things in a new light.”

It is hard to live in a society that encourages people to be accepting of homosexuals while your religion that you’ve grown up with is telling you to do the opposite. I was internally conflicted, to say the least.

Do you trust your morals? Do you defy the practices of your religion to stand for what you believe in?

Perhaps with Francis, I can do both. His fresh take on prevalent social issues are ones that allow me to not feel so guilty about supporting same-sex marriage and other “controversial” issues.

“Pope Francis is beginning to put off vibes that present himself as more accessible to the people,” David Reis, courtesy assistant professor and adjunct instructor of religious studies at the University of Oregon, said.

The pope’s messages are encouraging to young people all over the world. Something that makes him so appealing is how relatable and accessible he is to the people. Would you have ever expected the pope to have a Twitter account that he updates regularly?  He uses the Twitter handle @Pontifex and posts simple, yet profound tweets that are unlike any that my followers would post.

“@Pontifex: The love of God is not generic. God looks with love upon every man and woman, calling them by name.”

The pope’s public care for the marginalized is another thing that stood out to me. His non-discriminatory compassion can possibly be credited to the poverty that he experienced every day in Argentina. His humble beginnings allow for him to open his arms to all people: sick, dying, homosexual, male or female.

“He never acts like he’s up on a pedestal, rather that he is person who loves God and serves other people,”  Peer minister at the St. Thomas More Newman Center Aimee Fritsch said. ”I love that he is approachable, that he hugs children and makes phone calls to people who have written to him.”

So thank you, Pope Francis, for reinstalling in my once-skeptical religious views. Thank you for preaching the Bible’s true message of love and compassion. Thank you for being the fresh perspective that the 1500-year-old institution that is the Catholic Church has needed.