Since taking office on 13 March, Pope Francis
(Jorge Begoglio) has been something
of a revelation. Not in living memory, and certainly not in the papacy’s
prehistoric days, has the Vatican had such a open-minded, wholehearted and
people-first approach to spreading faith. And whilst this has left some asking
the question, “Is the Pope Catholic?”, the majority of the- and atheists alike
are quietly beaming with reverence at the ostensible kindness and humility of
the newly-promoted cardinal.
Perhaps
it comes down to his heritage. Born in Buenos Aires in 1936, Francis is best
known for ascending to the post of Archbishop of the said ‘Fair Winds’ city
before being elected by Rome. It was with little surprise that the first
‘Latino’ leader had been chosen by a Vatican recoiling in scandal and
corruption, seeking to reach out and reconcile with its deeply religious roots
overseas. Nonetheless, there were already clairvoyants within the papal convent
nodding heads to one another, and commenting on the likely munificence of the
new leader. Thus far, they have been proven very right.
Pope
Francis, despite his age and unconventional attire, is a man of the people,
choosing to mingle with crowds and avoid the pomp and ceremony of previous
leaders, including predecessor Benedict XVI (Joseph Ratzinger). And Francis’ words, heard by many a lent ear,
seem to match his ‘common predicament.’ Particularly in South America, where he
has a hugely devoted following, Francis speaks aggressively of the contrast
between rich and poor, between luxury and poverty, between the grand official houses
of Sao Paulo and the favelas and shacks barely kilometers away. Constantly
Francis has hitherto called upon his people to consider the poverty of the 21st
century, and do their best to rectify it. As Bentham decreed in the 18th
century, Francis is an advocate for ‘the greatest good for the greatest number.’
Most
of the world has, accordingly, been pleased by this. In fact, South American Protestants
have even prayed with Begoglio, during the period which he was Archbishop of
Buenos Aires. This has shocked the other Christian denominations and
conservative factions of Catholicism alike, but it raises an important point,
and one which Francis seems determined to pummel into those who worship him:
with unity, change can be achieved. Francis is merely facilitating what could,
and arguably should, have been achieved by perhaps the most powerful person in
the world a long time ago – the pope has absolute religious authority over 1.2
billion people. Perhaps not quite as much as the Chinese Communists – but nevertheless
it is a privilege to have the ears of so many people, expectantly waiting for a
decree in God’s name. By condemning the presence of poverty in the 21st
century, and the elite globalised financial system which conspires to retain it
as an entity, the infallible one is creating a new truth. Brazil has 10% of the
world’s Catholics – a colossal number – who are now inspired, if not already,
to join the protests wrecking the country’s preparations for the 2014 FIFA
World Cup. The fact that people power threatens the very hosting of one of the
most prestigious world sporting events, is testament to the unity of religion,
and thus indirectly, the leadership of Francis. If other world faith leaders –
many of whom such as the Dalai Lama already have a fierce reputation for social
justice – follow in his footsteps, the world is certain to become a better
place.
Thucydides - out.
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