Editorial

Francis does it again

Opinion | Editorial | John S. Shilshi | 15-Dec-2023

In a papacy that spans a little less than a decade, Pope Francis has created some history by doing away with some of the Vatican’s pomp and privilege, at times at the cost of severe criticism from the conservatives who believe that the Catholic Church deserves to continue with these centuries-old traditions it inherited from the early Church. The latest is a decision to significantly simplify the elaborate funeral rites for a pontiff and be the first to be buried outside the Vatican in more than a century. Pope Francis, who would turn 87 on December 17, disclosed this intention in an interview with one of the Latin American TV channels.

One would recall that since his election on March 13, 2013 following the unprecedented move by Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI, Pope Francis has ordered many changes to age-old traditions. Significant among them were the decision to shun the crimson, fur-trimmed "mozzetta," or cape, and also to do away with the practice of wearing a gold cross. Instead, he continued to keep wearing the same faded silver-plated one around his neck that he used as the Archbishop of Buenos Aires. He had avoided using the plush red “shoes of the fisherman” worn by his predecessors and continued wearing the same simple black shoes he always used and wearing a plastic watch, giving away the expensive ones to be auctioned and using the proceeds for charity. Apart from the intention to simplify the papal rite, the Pope also revealed where he wanted to be buried.

“The place is prepared and ready,” he says, talking about the venue where he will be buried and mentioning St. Mary Major rather than St. Peter’s. He explained that he had decided on this because he has "great devotion” and “a very great relationship” with the revered Byzantine icon of Our Lady, the Protectress of the Roman People. He recalled that every time he came to Rome before becoming the Pope, he had prayed before the icon on Sunday mornings. One understands that on March 14, 2013, the morning after his election, the first thing Pope Francis did was visit the icon and prayed for her intercession. Since then, he has sought her blessings more than 100 times, particularly before every foreign trip. And so, his choice to be laid there was hardly surprising.

 Speaking of simplifying the funeral rite, Pope Francis also said that he has worked with the master of papal ceremonies to revise the funerals of the pope. “We simplified it considerably,” he said, presumably referring to the rite that currently extends over nine days. “It had to be done,” he told the interviewer, and added with a touch of humour, "Well, I will be the first to try it out". In the backdrop of the surprises he comes out with now and then, this was yet another change this man of extraordinary wisdom now proposes. Some of his disclosures during the interview brought cheers to the Catholic faithful and all his admirers around the world. He told his guest, “I feel well; I feel improved. They say that at times I am imprudent because I have the desire to do something and to move. But aren’t these good signals?” he asked

When asked whether he has considered resigning because of his health problems over the past two years, Pope Francis said, “It has not occurred to me.” He quickly elaborated, “I don’t see resignation as something the Lord is asking of me”, a response many analysts felt was in sync with his recent remarks where he said he saw the papacy as a role for life. However, he didn’t completely rule out such a possibility either. He said he greatly admired the courage of Pope Benedict XVI in doing so and saw that as “an example” for him to follow if the Lord so wished.

Asked to comment on whether he has become stringent with those who oppose his leadership, he said that fathers who do not discipline their children are “failing in some way.” Nevertheless, he said, “People are very good to themselves. But I am somewhat complicated, and they support me; they back me. People in the Roman Curia are very good”. In response to a comment that he had perhaps now softened towards these people in the curia, he said, “Everyone becomes more gentle when they are grandfathers” with a mischievous grin. The candidness aside, Pope Francis's attempt to simplify the papal funeral rite is another huge shift from the traditional. It yet again shows how he sees every ritual from a practical perspective, and in all probability, this may not be the last surprise he comes out with. May he live long to bring in more surprises!

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