Pope Benedict called a consistory of cardinals on February 11, 2013, to approve miracles as part of the canonization process of three soon-to-be saints. At the end of the consistory, the frail 85-year-old Pontiff, still seated in his chair, softly delivered an important message in Latin to the cardinals by way of a microphone - his decision to resign his office effective 8 p.m., February 28, 2013. He said, “After having repeatedly examined my conscience before God, I have come to the certainty that my strengths, due to an advanced age, are no longer suited to an adequate exercise of the Petrine ministry.... 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, strength which in the last few months, has deteriorated in me to the extent that I have had to recognize my incapacity to adequately fulfill the ministry entrusted to me.... And now, let us entrust the Holy Church to the care of Our Supreme Pastor, Our Lord Jesus Christ” (as translated in Ch. 1 of Pope Francis by Matthew Bunson).
The eyes of the cardinals met each other, expressing surprise and disbelief. A pope had not resigned since Gregory XII in 1415, in order to end the Great Schism. Pope Benedict had succeeded in keeping his decision a secret; he had only informed a handful of men ahead of time. Pope Benedict’s last public Mass as Bishop of Rome was held on Ash Wednesday. Then at 4:45 p.m. on February 28, 2013, Pope Benedict lifted off from the Vatican by helicopter, the sound of the propellers mixing with that of the tolling bells of the basilica and the cheering of supportive crowds as he flew to Castel Gandolfo, the papal summer residence.
Landing in the close-knit town built near the shore of beautiful Lake Albano, he gave his final message and blessing as pope: “Thank you... [for] your friendship that does me so much good.... As of 8:00 p.m. I will no longer be the Supreme Pontiff of the Catholic Church. I will simply be a pilgrim who is beginning the last part of his pilgrimage on earth. But with my heart, my love, my prayer, with all my inner strength, I will work for the common good and the good of the Church and all humanity....” At 8:00 p.m., the doors of the palace at Castel Gandolfo were closed, the papal apartment at the Vatican was sealed, and the Ring of the Fisherman was defaced so the seal could not be used again. The historic papal interregnum had begun.
The Conclave of 2013
‘Papabili’ is the Italian word for persons that are likely to become pope. Technically speaking, the cardinal-electors of a conclave can elect any baptized Catholic male without impediments as pope (those cardinals who are under the age of 80), but most popes that are elected are cardinals. In 2013, the 76-year-old Cardinal Bergoglio was near the bottom of the list of papabili, mostly because of his age. Since Pope Benedict had referred to the limitations of his advanced age in his resignation speech, people speculated that the cardinals gathering for conclave would be looking for a younger member of their ranks.
One major concern among the cardinals was finding someone capable of reforming the Church in the face of the sex abuse scandals and to provide solid management for the Roman Curia and the Vatican Bank, which had become a source of scandal. They also desired a man of dynamic faith who was a vibrant communicator and evangelizer capable of reaching out to the modern world, such as the youth, the media, people of various countries and situations, and those who have become alienated from the Church. Other factors they considered included the ability to speak a number of popular languages and a level of comfort with communicating through modern technology. Pope Benedict’s Twitter handle ‘@Pontifex,’ by which he would periodically send out inspirational ‘tweets’ on matters of faith, had become quite popular in the online world (Matthew Bunson further explains the cardinals’ concerns and expectations in Ch. 3 of Pope Francis).
Over the past 500 years, popes have typically come from Italy since most of the cardinals appointed were Italian. The trend in modern times, however, changed with the election of Cardinal Wojtyla of Krakow as Pope John Paul II and then Cardinal Ratzinger of Germany as Pope Benedict XVI. The face of the College of Cardinals has also changed over the past decades to better reflect the universality of the Church, hence increasing the probability of newly elected popes being other than Italian. Italy still has the largest number of cardinals, but is now followed by the United States.
Matthew Bunson, in his book, lists the global breakdown of cardinals: 61 from Europe, 17 from North America, 16 from South America, 11 from Africa, 11 from Asia, and 1 from Oceania. Also, while declining in Europe and North America, due to increased secularism, Catholicism is growing considerably in the Southern Hemisphere and Asia, even though the persecution of Christians has become an epidemic in the Middle East, Africa, and Asia. The vocation crisis plaguing Europe and North America is non-existent in many of these young churches, which now represent the future of the Church. Overall, and thanks to the developing world, the Catholic Church, which literally means ‘Universal Church,’ is growing, and has about 1.3 billion members worldwide.
Cardinal Angelo Scola of the prominent see of Milan, Italy, an excellent communicator and a top theologian, was among the favored papabili. There was also much talk of Cardinal Peter Turkson of Africa, the president of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace. British bookies placed their bets on Cardinal Tarsicio Bertone, the experienced Vatican secretary of state and highest-ranking Vatican official after the pope, despite his involvement with the status quo within the Curia. Cardinal Sean O’Malley of Boston and Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York were on the top of some lists. However, even the American cardinals noted that regardless of the quality of an American candidate, a pope from the United States might not be ideal in the current world situation, for it may be perceived abroad as another symbol of American world dominance.
The 55-year-old Cardinal Luis Tagle of Manila, a charismatic and youthful figure, was a favorite among some, however his election as pope would likely mean a pontificate even longer than that of Pope John Paul II. Cardinal Marc Ouellet of Canada, prefect of the Congregation for Bishops and known for his selection of excellent candidates for the episcopacy, was also mentioned among the papabili. If one is looking for a Latin American candidate, there was Cardinal Odilo Sherer of São Paulo, Brazil, but as the saying goes, “He who enters the conclave as a ‘pope’ leaves it as a cardinal.”
Pope Benedict had given a motu proprio decree allowing for the College of Cardinals to move the beginning of the conclave forward since the Pope had not died and a funeral was not taking place. However, the cardinals settled upon a relatively later date at the urging of American cardinals who wanted to allow for more time for cardinals to get to know each other. This would give a candidate from outside the Roman Curia a better chance of being elected. The cardinals gathered on March 12, 2013, to concelebrate the Mass for the Election of the Roman Pontiff at St. Peter’s Basilica. The last Mass of this type was presided over by Cardinal Ratzinger. This time, Cardinal Angelo Sodano, dean of the College of Cardinals, preached on the most important quality the next pope should have; a heart like Christ the Shepherd.
The cardinals then processed to the Sistine Chapel, with its famous fresco of the Last Judgment as a reminder to them, and chanted Veni Creator Spiritus (Come Creator Spirit), since it is ultimately the Holy Spirit who guides them in selecting the next Roman Pontiff. Then each of the cardinal-electors took an oath in Latin to secrecy and to obey the guidelines laid down for the conclave. Once this was complete, Cardinal Sodano pronounced the traditional words to indicate that all but the cardinal-electors must leave: “extra omnes” (“all others”). Slowly, he walked down the long aisle between the cardinals to seal the doors shut. The only communication the cardinals would have with the outside world was the color of the smoke they would send through the chimney of the Sistine Chapel - black to indicate a vote shy of the two-thirds majority for electing the Roman Pontiff and white to indicate a successful election.
Cardinal Timothy Dolan explains, in a re
cent ebook “Praying in Rome”, what it is like being a cardinal at a papal conclave, “At the start of the conclave, three scrutatori, three cardinals who are in charge of the ballots, were chosen by lot. They would do the counting and make sure that there is always an exact number of ballots. No debating or conversation goes on during the conclave. The actual time we spent in the Sistine Chapel was an occasion for silence, prayer, and reflection; it is almost a liturgy, a retreat.” The papabili do not campaign, and they are not allowed to. The cardinals do have plenty of opportunity to discuss candidates and issues over meals. “Inside the Sistine Chapel, there’s immense prayer and deep reflection. But outside of it, when we would leave the Sistine and return for meals and the night to Sanctae Marthae, there were very frank and candid conversations. I would ask brother cardinals, ‘What’s he like?’ or ‘Tell me about him. Is the perception accurate?’”
Black smoke poured out of the chimney of the Sistine Chapel four times over two days. A seagull perched on the barren chimney Wednesday afternoon, seemingly waiting with the rest of the world for white smoke. Then, just after 7:00 p.m. of the second day, Wednesday, March 13, white smoke was clearly seen billowing out from the chimney as an ecstatic and growing crowd poured into St. Peter’s Square.
Pope Francis Greets the World
The large processional cross rising into view from the balcony signaled to the crowd below the imminent greeting by the new pope, introduced first by Cardinal Tauran as ‘Francis.’ Jorge Bergoglio, the man who stepped out on the loggia from behind that cross, was not exactly who they had been expecting, and neither were his actions. He was dressed in a simple white cassock and white zucchetto, without the beautiful and elaborate stole and red cape worn by his predecessors at their first address. It almost seemed he didn’t know what to do with the sustained cheering that awaited him. He gave one modest wave and then stood motionless as he gazed out stunned onto the lighted St. Peter’s Square to the huge crowd that had gathered there after dusk for this very purpose.
He finally addressed the crowds, “Brothers and sisters, good evening! You know that it was the duty of the Conclave to give Rome a Bishop. It seems that my brother Cardinals have gone to the ends of the earth to get one... but here we are... I thank you for your welcome. The diocesan community of Rome now has its Bishop. Thank you!” The new Holy Father’s Argentine friends would surely catch the reference to their homeland as the ‘End of the World,’ stretching over 2,300 miles from the mountainous Bolivian border southward to the Terra del Fuego, separated from Antarctica by the Drake Passage.
The preferred title Pope Francis chose for himself then and thereafter was ‘Bishop.’ A ‘pope,’ which means ‘father,’ is father to the universal Church, and has jurisdiction over the Church because he is the successor of the Apostle Peter. Christ gave the keys of the Kingdom to Peter in Matthew 16:18: “You are Peter [which means Rock], and upon this rock I will build my church....” As Providence would have it, Peter became head of the local church at Rome, the capital of the empire that engulfed the Mediterranean Sea, and the lands that surrounded it: the civilized western world.
There are two reasons that Pope Francis prefers to refer to himself as a bishop. First, wanting always to promote what he calls a “culture of encounter” through closeness to the people, he sees his relationship as bishop of the diocesan community of Rome as modeling the relationship that should take place between the clergy around the world and their congregations. While a pope is a world leader, governing millions of people he cannot meet in person, a bishop gets to know many people in his diocese and the people have the opportunity to get to know the bishop, even often developing a relationship with him. As pope, Francis' relationship with the faithful of Rome is an important example for clergy to be pastors who, as he says, should be “shepherds living with the smell of their sheep” and leaders who foster the spiritual communion and fraternity of the local church.
Pope Francis' words are reminiscent of the words said at Mass, “Remember, Lord, your Church, spread throughout the world, and bring her to the fullness of charity, together with [Francis] our Pope and [N.] our Bishop and all the clergy” (from Eucharistic Prayer II as translated by ICEL). Francis, Bishop of Rome, continues in his first address, “And now, we take up this journey: Bishop and People. This journey of the Church of Rome which presides in charity over all the Churches. A journey of fraternity, of love, of trust among us.”
The second reason for preferring to be called a bishop is ecumenical. Pope Francis, as a former ordinary for Eastern rite Catholics in Argentina that were in communion with Rome, also has to connect with those Eastern Christians that were separated from Rome in 1054, a time of the first great division in Christianity. The split happened over a crisis being handled in an uncharitable manner and ended with bishops excommunicating each other. While Catholics and Eastern Christians share a great deal in their beliefs, one difference is the Eastern belief in the collegiality of the bishops in such a way that the Apostle Peter was first among equals.
In contrast, Catholics believe in the primacy of the pope with universal jurisdiction. Vatican II, however, affirmed that the collegiality of bishops and the primacy of the pope are compatible, when properly understood. Father Spadaro recalls in his interview with the Pope, “Pope Francis spoke about ‘the path of collegiality’ as the road that can lead the church to ‘grow in harmony with the service of primacy.’ So I ask: ‘How can we reconcile in harmony Petrine primacy and collegiality? Which roads are feasible also from an ecumenical perspective?’” The Pope responded, “We must walk together: the people, the bishops and the pope. Synodality [the gathering of bishops to work out Church matters] should be lived at various levels.” The Eastern Christians were listening; Bartholomew, Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople, chose to attend Pope Francis’ inaugural Mass on March 19, 2013, representing the first of his line ever to do so.
Twice during his first address, the Bishop of Rome asked the people to pray. First, he led them in the three most basic and universal prayers memorized by the faithful as children, Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory Be, for “our Bishop Emeritus, Benedict XVI.” Next, he told them, “Let us always pray for one another. Let us pray for the whole world, that there may be a great spirit of fraternity. It is my hope for you that this journey of the Church, which we start today... will be fruitful for the evangelization of this most beautiful city.”
Before imparting his first Apostolic blessing, an expectation of all new popes, he bowed and asked the people to pray for him, also emphasizing the role of the laity within the Church in walking together with their pastors. “And now I would like to give the blessing, but first - first I ask a favor of you: before the Bishop blesses his people, I ask you to pray to the Lord that he will bless me: the prayer of the people asking the blessing for their Bishop. Let us make, in silence, this prayer: your prayer over me.” Then, after the people’s silent prayer, he briefly donned the ornate papal stole while giving the Apostolic blessing before promptly taking it off.
After the blessing, he parted with these words: “Brothers and sisters, I leave you now. Thank you for your welcome. Pray for me and until we meet again. We will see each other soon. Tomorrow I wish to go and pray to Our Lady, that she may watch over all of Rome. Good night and sleep well!” It would not be long before the people saw the ‘Bishop’ again.
‘Bishop and People’
Cardinal Dolan recalls, in “Praying in Rome”, what happened later that evening after the Pope’s first address. “After his appearance on the balcony, we were all to return to the Domus Sanctae Marthae for dinner. We piled into one of several buses waiting for us cardinals, while the new Holy Father had a sedan, with proper security escort, ready to chauffeur him back to the Domus. When I got off the bus, my brother cardinals and I waited for the Holy Father to arrive. And when the last bus pulled up, guess who got off? Pope Francis! I guess he told his driver, ‘That’s OK. I’ll just go with the boys, as I have been doing.’” The
cardinals would see Pope Francis soon at dinner. Cardinal Dolan recalls, “That night we had, as you might imagine, a rather festive supper. At its conclusion, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, the Secretary of State, toasted the new Holy Father. Pope Francis stood to reply. His toast to the cardinals who had just elected him as Successor of St. Peter? ‘May God forgive you for what you’ve done!’ which brought the house down.”
Pope Francis later retired to Room 207 that night at the Domus Sanctae Marthae, just as he had done during the rest of the conclave. Several days later, he was still living at that room which had been assigned to him during the conclave. Then on March 26, Father Lombardi made the announcement that Room 201 in the Domus would be Pope Francis' new home instead of the large papal apartment. The Holy Father’s decision to remain there was the result of Jesuit-inspired discernment and communal living, and his usual theme of closeness to the people.
Pope Francis told Father Spadaro, referring to the communal life of the Jesuits, “I was always looking for a community. I did not see myself as a priest on my own. I need a community. And you can tell this by the fact that I am here in Santa Marta. At the time of the conclave I lived in Room 207. This room where we are now was a guest room. I chose to live here, in Room 201, because when I took possession of the papal apartment, inside myself I distinctly heard a ‘no.’ The papal apartment in the Apostolic Palace is not luxurious. It is old, tastefully decorated and large, but not luxurious. But in the end it is like an inverted funnel. It is big and spacious, but the entrance is really tight. People can come only in dribs and drabs, and I cannot live without people. I need to live my life with others.”
Pope Francis (Pastor of Mercy) Page 5