Pope Francis: The Man, The Faith

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                                     By Kenneth Bagnell

 

 

     One afternoon in early March, two men went for one of their casual strolls on the leafy streets of Rome. Since both were Catholic intellectuals, it was natural that they talked theology. Moreover, a major conclave was a few days away, one that would choose the next Pope. They spoke in Italian the language of their upbringing. One was Thomas Rosica, a Torontonian who migrated to Canada from New York. The other was the son of Italian parents who went to Argentina in the 1920s. His name was Jorge Mario Bergoglio. He was a Jesuit, a Bishop in Argentina and a Cardinal. In just days, Bergoglio was chosen as the new Pope, known to the world as Pope Francis. Rosica, a broadcaster as well as a priest, and well regarded in the Vatican, was made one of his key media advisors. He now spends much time in Rome.      

   Since I was going to Rome with Barbara last October — to stay in a convent inn run by Dominican sisters not far from The Vatican — I emailed Rosica, hoping to interview him on the new Pope. He agreed and set a date. But his Papal schedule, obviously heavy, suddenly intruded. Could we reschedule the interview, he asked, for December 12, when he’d be back in Toronto tending to his other position: CEO of Salt and Light, a Catholic television network. (To say Rosica is very busy, is not just an understatement but an enormous one.) We met in his downtown office, rustic and basic, at 3PM. He was relaxed and gracious, dressed informally in green sweater and dark trousers, but I sensed he’s what’s called a “high energy man”, anxious to get down to business. As I asked questions he’d pause for a couple of silent seconds, then speak often eloquently, but with care. (I was grateful I’d brought my tape recorder, placing it on his desk.)

      I began, as I prefer in most interviews, with a question I expected he’d be comfortable with: what is Pope Francis the man like? “He’s everything you see or read in the media -– only more,” he replied. “What’s extraordinary about Pope Francis is his amazing ability to connect with people and be seen as truly one of them. And that’s because we have a pastor who is now Pope. A pastor. It makes a world of difference. The empathy. The compassion. He speaks the language of the people. So the entire world is paying attention to Pope Francis, something we haven’t seen for a while.” Since Time Magazine had just chosen Francis as Person of the Year, I asked if that indicated something unique. He leaned forward, and reminded me that Pope John XXIII, was also on Time’s cover, as was John Paul II. “By no means does being chosen Person of the Year on Time’s cover guarantee that the person will be more effective. I don’t think Pope Francis awoke the day it came out and picked up a copy to see if he’d won. That’s not the point. But here’s the point. It’s in his statement I sent out on his behalf just after the cover appeared: ‘If this is going to help people toward God,’ it said, ‘then let me be used for that purpose.’   That, I’d say, is beautiful. And that’s Pope Francis.”

   We turned to ecumenism, interfaith relationships. I wondered if, after recent years when the Vatican seemed somewhat indifferent to Protestant Churches, we might see change. “He’s been doing that already,” Rosica replied. “Argentina is a Catholic country but with many Protestant groups. He gained great respect from them, mixing with them, talking with them. Now we see him achieving the same with the entire Christian world. By his manner and message.” He mentioned that often when he (Rosica) is wearing his clerical suit and collar, people of all faiths or none, approach him with four simple words: “We love your Pope.” And he added: “They feel that way because the television pictures of him speak thousands and thousands of words about how much he feels and cares for them – all of them.”

        I said that some Protestant churches are giving more attention to social justice and thereby are critical of the capitalist marketplace. Pope Francis has also given it attention. (He has said this: “Some people continue to defend trickle-down theories which assume that economic growth, encouraged by a free market will inevitably succeed in bringing about greater justice and inclusiveness……      This opinion has never been confirmed by the facts…”) I asked Father Rosica if the Pope’s vigorous critique of the market was, in fact, his true conviction. He replied in one word: “Absolutely.” This was followed by a pause before he went on: “Francis, in fact, is now leading the way. He’s not afraid. And I’d say to those who have difficulty with this need should examine their own consciences. His topics – reaching to the poor, addressing the market, questioning economic policies, these are signs he is not dealing just with Catholics and the economy. In truth he has elevated the economic conversation to world level. I’d say it’s what Christians of all churches can truly call ‘prophetic leadership’.”

     As the day waned and our time was ending, I asked what he felt about the future of the churches in general. His reply was so prompt it was as if he’d being waiting. “The authentic churches which will survive and move into the future, near and distant, are churches that are vividly gospel-based, not just service clubs with Christian tendencies. The churches that survive will be solid in theology and clear about ecclesiology. Those churches which have given up on these will, overtime I’m afraid, fade away. Remember what Mother Teresa said: ‘There are many agencies that do wonderful social works. But we have to do something more.’ That’s what we are being called to do by Francis.”

        It was time to go. But, suddenly and unplanned, I asked a final favor: his Christmas thought for all who receive this blog. He paused and pondered a bit longer than I expected. In time here’s what he said for you — and himself: “Christmas is a very good time for us to look back over the gifts we have received in the past year, not just material gifts, but the gifts of people who have entered our lives, and the lessons we’ve learned from them. Certainly one of the great gifts for which I express gratitude to God, is that the man who is now wearing white in Rome, is such an extraordinary example of the one whose birth we celebrate at Christmas. I give thanks to God that Jorge Mario Bergoglio, a 76 year old, said yes and is allowing himself to be used by God as a real instrument of peace. So when I say Francis’s prayer, ‘Lord make me an instrument of your peace,’ I also say, Lord help me be like Francis of Rome.”

                      

 

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