News from Italy
Could the new Pope be my father?
Biographer Austen Ivereigh described Bergoglio as having two qualities rarely seen together: the prophetic holiness of a desert saint and the political genius of a charismatic leader…
Jorge Mario Bergoglio, known by his baptismal name, Francis, was a Pope of remarkable humility. His simplicity, modesty, and sympathy endeared him to all. His warm and sincere communication with people and his illuminating smile created an atmosphere of approachability and warmth.
The first Latin American and non-European Pope chose the name Francis as his banner to express his mission. From the beginning, he conveyed that he was following the example of St. Francis of Assisi, who had thrown away the fortune of his silk merchant father…
He led a life of simplicity, far removed from ostentation. From his election as Pope, he eschewed expensive clothes, luxurious shoes, jewelled furs, solid gold crosses, and flashy canes. Even as Pope, he wore his plain silver ring with the cross sign, symbolising his rejection of luxury.
Even in his traditional first balcony speech, he did not wear an ostentatious red ermine cape and gold shawl. Unlike his predecessors, he called out in his plain white tunic, “Pray for me.” Pope Francis had done something unthinkable: He had abandoned his role as “Emperor Pope-Pope Who Makes No Mistakes.” He was asking for help from the people as a “human Pope.”…
He explained his reasoning for asking for prayers from the people with the words, “I am also a sinner. God has assigned me to serve. I need their prayers and support to serve the people in the best way possible.”…
He refused to live in the magnificent 15,000-square-meter Papal Palace, which dates back to the 17th century. He continued to live in a small room consisting of a simple bed, a nightstand, and a wardrobe in the Santa Marta Guesthouse in the Vatican, where he stayed during the council meeting…
Unlike the Popes who lived in luxury and travelled in expensive cars, he went to the modest Santa Marta Guesthouse by bus on the day he was elected. He preferred to walk when he was not sick. He opened his phone. He turned the palace that the Popes used as a summer residence into a museum…
He communicated with everyone as a friend, an older brother, and a father. He made it a point to understand their problems and find solutions. He never lost his modesty, smile, and sense of humour, making everyone feel included and essential…
The other side of his personality was that he had the political genius of a charismatic leader…
He knew every subject in depth, from political, social, and economic problems to climate change. He was a true intellectual…
What made him different was his clarity of thought and his revolutionary ideas for solving problems…
The reformer Pope believed the “we-all” approach would solve world problems and inequality. He said the world needed a revolution of mercy and said, “If each of us does an act of mercy every day, a revolution will have taken place in the world.” The slogan he used in his speech to young people in Portugal, “Everyone, everyone, everyone,” was the product of this perspective…
Pope Francis seemed determined to advance the power of the Vatican, which had been trying to be the leading actor on the world stage for centuries, from the bottom up…
His position was on the side of the people. He criticised the strategies and wars carried out through power and interest policies, such as those above…
He argued that ending humanitarian disasters such as hunger, war, and migration depended on the leaders who governed the world. For this, he first called for an end to armament. He argued that the resources spent on arms trade and wars should be paid for the good of people and the welfare of society. He said, “Peace is essential for ending poverty, migration, and genocide.”…
He described capitalism as “greedy, chasing easy profit” and said natural resources were being exploited unfairly. He believed that those who governed the world and countries would solve world problems if they wanted to, and he made calls on this subject. He said, “Use your power for the people, for the good of the world”…
We lost such a special person, with a perfect heart, mind and justice, on an Easter day… The whole world lost…
A period of deep mourning is taking place. The sentences “Francesco was my father, he was my brother, he was my friend” are heard everywhere…
On the day he was sent off on his final journey with the black orthopaedic shoes he always wore – again upon his request – instead of his luxurious red Pope shoes, the immortal city of Rome became the scene of a historic day…
Hundreds of thousands filled the roads leading to St. Peter’s Basilica early in the morning, starting at 05:00. Banners reading “We love you Pope” were unfurled in St. Peter’s Square, including pictures drawn by children. After the religious ceremonies ended, hundreds of thousands of people followed the white hearse carrying the Pope’s body. Hundreds of thousands of people waited on the sides of the streets to give Pope Francis their final salute. The crowds, including tourists, threw flowers at the Pope’s car, chanting “Thanks, Pope”, “we love you, Pope”, “I will miss you, we will miss you”, “My Pope”, “Francesco, I pray for you Pope”… Those at the windows waved to the motorcade. Some were seen throwing white Francesco roses, named after the Pope, into the hearse. This enthusiastic pursuit, this state of being unable to leave the Pope behind, continued for about 8 km…
Rome experienced an unforgettable funeral. With his lifestyle and thoughts, Pope Francis eliminated all labels, did not care about money, luxury, or ostentation, and only focused on people. He was a role model for religious and political leaders and a source of inspiration… Since he could reach everyone, he became everyone’s father, brother, or best friend…
Now, the Vatican has a very intriguing “Conclave” process ahead of it. The cardinals who lock themselves in the Sistine Chapel will determine the new Pope. The reformers or fundamentalists preferred by Bergoglio will win…
A Pope who follows a person who has such special talents and has become the people’s darling will have a difficult job. Of course, if he wants to gain such love…
On the other hand, the new Pope will inherit a valuable legacy left by Bergoglio. We are talking about an important accumulation that has brought the Vatican out of its closed box, made it one of the leading actors on the global stage, and moved the Vatican from the bottom up. Will it consume this valuable legacy? Or will it grow? We do not know this at the moment…
But we do know this: There is no second Pope Francis model! Will there be one after the events of the last week? Francis became Pope 12 years ago in a surprise election… If such a surprise happens again, will a brave folk hero emerge who will be as close to the people as an elder brother, father or friend, seeking their rights on the global stage? Will a revolutionary emerge? Can he be our role model, our father, our elder brother? For example, will he be “my father” instead of “My Pope”?
I wish for a second Bergoglio to emerge for the world, for the people…
