When a Pope dies, there is a sense of great loss in those of us who love our Catholic Church. We have lost our beloved friend, a friend who is at the centre of the Unity of the Church, our spokesman, our channel (in one sense) to God, and there is a real bereavement.  I remember when Pope Benedict XVI came to the UK, in September 2010, that the excitement in the air was tangible, and the whole four days were very ‘special’; people “felt better” for attending with him, or watching on Television, and it did not matter who one was, or to which denomination (or none) that one belonged.  I would say it was a ‘Moment of God’.  No wonder, when a Pope dies, people feel sad at the loss. It is different, of course, in the case of retirement.

 Pope Benedict embracing a child on his visit to the UK 

During his visit, Pope Benedict XVI was on his way from his (temporary) Wimbledon residence, to one appointment. As he came to his car, he spotted a lady with a small child. His helpers asked the lady if the Pope could bless her child, and she was delighted. The incident touched the hearts of everyone who saw it. The BBC TV presenters went out of their way to try and find the lady; they did so after about half an hour, and there with the child, she was interviewed. “How did you feel when the Pope was given your child?” “Proud as anything; it will go down in our family story as one of the most important moments ever”. “Is he your child?” “Oh no; I am grandma. I mind the child for my daughter, and we live close by, so I thought it would be lovely to see the Pope on this historic occasion”. “You must be very happy as a Catholic to let the Pope bless your grandchild?” “I am not a Catholic, I am an Anglican, and I am delighted that the Pope blessed him”.  I could not help smiling, and again, feeling a sense of great joy. The Pope is, for many people, a very important person. But time marches on … … 

When, on the evening of Thursday 13 March, I was told there was “white smoke”, and the cardinals had done their job of electing the Pope, I stayed glued to the television to watch the amazing story unfolding, about who would be the new Pope. I felt the exultation and joy that the people in the Piazza, in front of St. Peter’s, felt.  It was described as “tangible” and everyone present, a vast crowd, felt it. That sense of being without the leader of the Church was being taken away; something new and great was happening. 

 Pope Francis 

When eventually, it emerged that Pope Francis was Cardinal Jorge (George) Bergoglio, I had no idea who this person was. But, his posture, and first words, were striking and remarked upon: with his hands at his side, looking calm and a little awkward, he said: “Brothers and sisters good evening.” Then a very short speech in which came the humble words: “I would like to give the blessing. But first I want to ask you a favour. Before the Bishop blesses the people I ask that you would pray to the Lord to bless me – the prayer of the people for their Bishop. Let us say this prayer – your prayer for me – in silence.” I was touched deeply by these events, and felt a huge joy and sense of pride inside me, as I watched with Fr. Theo, in his room, in our Priory House.

 Pope Francis receives a blessing from the Roman People (mainly) in St Peter’s Square 13 March 2013 

In his first short sermon, as Pope Francis on Thursday 14March, he included these words: “When we walk without the Cross, when we build without the Cross, and when we profess Christ without the Cross, we are not disciples of the Lord. We are worldly, we are bishops, priests, cardinals, popes, but not disciples of the Lord.” Notice he includes himself in the words; he is a Pope who is “one of us” – a pilgrim Bishop on the way, and the Bishop of Rome – also known as the Pope of the Catholic Church. 

Pope Francis, like his different predecessors, is living in the realm of God, of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit was involved in his election, and this had nothing to do with the speculations of the media or the machinations of anything of this world. His choice by the Cardinals was quite unexpected. God has chosen him, and it happened so quickly. Now, all together in the Church, we will face the quiet breeze of necessary change in our Catholic Church, that may well come with this humble man, who has described inequality as “a social sin that cries out to Heaven”, and has emphasised the Church’s duty to serve the poor and disenfranchised. I think that emphasis is hitting exactly the right note. 

Fr. Jonathan