On Wednesday more than 77 cardinals voted for the Argentinian Jesuit Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio. Their vote was canonically needed for the election as Pope of the 1.2 billion strong Church.
But in today’s world the approval of the Pope’s appointment also awaits the aye or nay of the tens of thousands gathered in the piazza in front of St Peter’s Basilica and of the millions that follow the proceedings on TV. It seems that this approval has been given.
His gentle and warm smile stole the hearts of millions. The simplicity and sincerity of his message continued to drive home people’s endearment of the new pontiff. His greeting was a simple “good evening” and his conclusion a fascinatingly warm “Good night and sleep well!”
He sounded like the man next door. This was not a put-on but a natural reaction of the man who uses public transport instead of chauffeur-driven limousines and cooks his own meals.
Many also noticed that he did not wear the ornate cross that popes usually wear. He put on the simple cross that he wears daily in Buenos Aires when he visits parishes, slums, hospitals and schools.
His first thoughts went to the people of his new Rome diocese. He then immediately prayed for its bishop emeritus, Benedict XVI. It was only later when he referred to the papacy saying that “the Church of Rome… presides in charity over all the Churches.”
As was to be expected, the Pope gave his blessing but only after springing upon us another pleasant surprise. “But first I want to ask you a favour. Before the bishop blesses the people I ask that you would pray to the Lord that he bless me – the prayer of the people, asking a benediction for their bishop. Let us say in silence this prayer, of you over me.”
First impressions are very positive; and first impressions are very important.
Quite naturally the papacy does not live only on first impressions. One should look below the surface to try to discover more. The election of a 76-year-old Pope is a clear sign that the cardinals opted for a short pontificate; perhaps a transitory one.
But Cardinal Bergolio’s adoption of the name of ‘Francis’ points towards a papacy with a definitive, difficult, urgent and busy agenda. Francis was the saint that married together simplicity and radicalism. While Francis was praying at the Church of St Damien he was given a specific task by Jesus himself. “Re-build my church.”
The immediate meaning referred to the dilapidated church in Assisi but the more profound meaning referred to the Church universal. The task of Francis of Assisi referred to the renewal of the Church.
Pope Francis won people’s hearts through his simplicity. Now he will have to face the arduous task of renewing the Church. The clerical sex abuse scandal did enormous harm. Vatileaks showed that not all is well in the state of the Vatican. A structural reform is sorely needed. Benedict’s resignation meant that all the top officials at the Vatican lost their posts. Pope Francis is faced by a clean slate. He does not have the unenviable task of removing people.
He has the task of filling empty posts. The Church is in dire need of revamping the spirit of collegiality as a counter-balance to the centralised bureaucracy of the Roman Curia.
He asked us all to pray for him. This is a privilege all of us should execute joyfully.