The wind blows where it pleases (John 3:8). Professor Massimo Cacciari, the philosopher and former mayor of Venice, in a pre-Conclave TV programme, stated that if the new Pope will be a non-European, it will mean a further blow to Europe’s Christians. As often happens, the ways the Holy Spirit are not like ours. As the newly elected Pope Francis said in his very brief first speech, the “cardinals have chosen” one “who is from far away”, from the other side of the Atlantic and the southern part of the Americas: Argentina.
The name he has chosen and subsequent words and gestures are making his manifesto clear
At 7.07pm the white smoke rising from the chimney perched on the Sistine Chapel informed the world that the Cardinals elected the Bishop of Rome – The Pope. This was confirmed at 7.18pm, the bells of St Peter’s Basilica ringing joyfully.
It seems that after praying on the situation in the Church at thepresent junction, the Cardinals said: “Let’s start where we have left.” In faith we accept that every person, not the least a Pope, has a particular mission in God’s incomprehensible loving plan. Recent Popes were all holy men have and worked hard for the People of God. We came to know of the way they intended to do this in the proverbial first 100 days.
Pope Francis is giving us the impression that he does not want to wait so long. The name he has chosen and subsequent words and gestures are making his manifesto clear. Reflecting on the name he chose, one cannot fail to recall the words, which according to the biography written by St. Bonaventure, the Crucifix of the church of San Damiano told Francis of Assisi three times: “Francis, go and repair my house which, as you see, is falling into ruin.”
Several are of the opinion the Catholic Church is falling into ruin and it needs urgent repair. In his Declaratio of February 10, 2013, Benedict XVI stated: “In today’s world, subject to so many rapid changes and shaken by questions of deep relevance for the life of faith, in order to govern the barque of Saint Peter and proclaim the Gospel, both strength of mind and body are necessary,” and that his “strength… has deteriorated… to the extent that [he] has had to recognise [his] incapacity toadequately fulfil the Petrine ministry entrusted to him”.
Benedict’s resignation makes it clear that holiness and intellect, important though they are, are not enough to make one conscientiously cope with the Church’s problems. Had these been enough, his resignation would not be justified because everyone admits both his great holiness and distinguished intellectual gifts.
He could have easily stayed on as Pope if holiness and the publishing of important encyclicals, exhortations and motu proprios were enough. In conscience in front of the Almighty, Benedict saw that the problems he faced needed another person to handle them. So he humbly stepped down.
And the problems are wide-ranging: weakening and loss of faith among Catholics, galloping secularisation and agnosticism, the sex abuse among all rank of the clergy which tarnish not only the image but also the soul of the Church, deep unresolved theological issues, ambition and careerism among those who should witness through humility, simplicity and service, the question of justice in a world run by cruel unbridled capitalism, corruption in political life and the list is much longer. Nearer to home to the Pope, many are clamouring for a wide-ranging reform of the Church’s central administration, greater justice and transparency in the Vatican’s financial mechanism and so on.
Pope Francis is already well-known for his humility. Hiscommitment to authentic social justice has been accompanied by a simple lifestyle that has contributed to his reputation for humility. As an Archbishop he left the typical palatial bishop’s residence and chose to live in a small apartment, reportedly cooking his own meals. As for transport, he gave up his chauffeur-driven limousine and used public transport and trains. His first gestures since his public appearance on the balcony of St Peter’s Basilica seem to confirm these options.
Shortly after Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran proclaimed “Habemus Papem”, Pope Francis appeared on the balcony wearing a white papal white cassock and the pectoral cross he used to wear: no red mozetta which often accompanies the papal vestments. After saluting the crowd with a “buona sera”, he referred to himself as the Bishop of Rome rather than the Pope – implying his belief in collegiality.
“First and foremost,” he asked the crowd to join him in praying “for our Bishop Emeritus, Benedict XVI”. He then asked a favour from the crowd before imparting his first blessing: “I would like to pray to the Lord so that the prayers of the people also bless the new Pontiff. Let us pray in silence; your prayer for me.” And he bowed his head – before the crowd bowed its head to receive his blessing.
On Thursday, others prepared his first appointment: to go to the tailor early in the morning to take proper measurements for his papal garbs. Instead he insisted that the first appointment was to go to St. Mary Major Basilica to pray before the icon known as Salus Populi Romani. This was anticipated by another gesture of humility. According to London’s The Independent, Pope Francis entered the Basilica through a side entrance.
This all fills us with the hope that our Church is opening a new chapter of Vatican II, which might lead us to the next ecumenical council suggested by another Jesuit, the late Cardinal Carlo Maria Martini.
Rev Joe Inguanez is the executive director of Discern – Institute for Research on the Signs of the Times.