A Pope who continues
It is very normal for each Pope to be different: personal personalities, pastoral priorities, different relationships. All of this comes not only from the historical experiences of each man, but the truth is that everything comes from the historical circumstances enlightened by the Holy Spirit.
Media discourses always look in black and white the supernatural realities, but in reality Pope Francis’ priorities were part of the historical circumstances we are living. Because, beyond the political look of the choice of a Pope – which, in fact, exists – we believe there is in this choice is inhabited by the Holy Spirit. This, in fact, guides and rules the church…
We can remember what the book of Acts of the Apostles says: « We and the Holy Spirit have decided not to impose you anything else… ». The look of the world on supernatural realities, just look at natural realities…
The feeling we will have in these coming days is the same as we have experienced in the departure of John Paul II. By the way, those who existed before me felt the same when Pope Paul VI died: it was irreplaceable!
In fact, we have seen that in each time we have been having what we needed. Francis was the man necessary for the Church at this time and we will see that the next Pope will be necessary.
We say from Francis: opened the doors of the church! This is what was said of Pope John XXIII when summoning the Council: Aggiison! Paul saw the man who began the reform of the Second Vatican Council became for many. Beloved by many, it was also hated by others with Humanue Vitae. The same was said – albeit for a month – of Pope John Paul II.
The narratives about Francis will not be very different… because in a world in deep cultural change, this Pope sought to understand the place of the Church. Decisions in their life and the government of the church sought to exercise greater simplicity: came down from the apartments of the apostolic palace and went to live in the house of Santa Marta; gave greater visibility to the female genius and migratory flows; He sought to give priority to the poor, directing the church to a pastoral of existential peripheries.
A closer look at your person and the exercise of your ministry cannot fail to raise some curiosities: Why did Francis have such devotion to the invocation of the Virgin Mary – Salus Populi Romani? Why did you never visit your country – Argentina? Why did you open the doors of the church so widely to « all, all, all, » repressed some sectors of the Church?
I believe, however, that the humanity we saw in this Pope has always been an expression of the affection and love of his relationship with God. There is another aspect that I also believe to be part of your experience. Francisco, for the love and understanding she demonstrated with so many fragile men, has tried in her own flesh, surely many of the existential hells that plague humanity: he not only had a theory of suffering, but surely has experienced many of these sufferings in himself.
The future? This will surely be surprising how we could try it in recent decades. What did people feel when they saw Karol Wojtila arrived at the window of St. Peter’s Basilica? Who would imagine that Joseph Fratzinger could ever be elected? And Francisco – Did anyone know him?
The people say: The future to God belongs! And I would add: And to the cardinals!
