MAANY things in the Vatican don't change much. Cardinals have been electing the pope for over 800 years. But some things do change.
Eight years ago when Pope Benedict was elected and they came to send out the white smoke to announce a result, a good deal of it escaped back into the Sistine Chapel.
On this occasion the white smoke was clearly white, while none of it returned to damage the wonderful paintings around the walls, much less did it reach the ceiling painted by Michelangelo.
The Apostolic Palace in the Vatican City provides a unique, setting for a papal election. The Sistine Chapel was built towards the end of the 15th century, but the first pope to live in the Vatican was Nicholas III in 1280.
Everyone knows the secret voting takes place in the Sistine Chapel, which matches the dimensions of King Solomon's Temple in Jerusalem, but on this occasion, unlike 2005, the cardinals could again gather to pray in Paul's Chapel (Cappella Paolina), following its restoration which was completed a few years ago.
On the walls Michelangelo painted immense frescoes of the conversion of St Paul and the crucifixion, head-downwards, of St Peter. These were his last paintings and he eliminated most decorations to emphasise the spiritual importance of both events.
Many of the cardinals already know one another and newcomers receive a warm welcome. The minority who do not speak Italian socialise within their own language groups at Domus Santa Martha, the official residence down the hill from the Vatican.
I liked to walk to and from the votings, but rain prevented this on a number of occasions. No formal speeches on matters of policy take place in the Sistine Chapel, only prayers, voting and taking the oath to choose the best candidate.
St Thomas Aquinas said it is best to make important decisions quickly but only after long, intense preliminary discussions. There were 190 speeches during this week of preparation.
Conclaves can be stressful because everyone realises the importance of choosing a pope, but both times when I participated, they were edifying gatherings with much serious prayer.
It is a relief when the required two-thirds majority of votes is surpassed, greeted always with applause. The cardinal chosen is then asked formally whether he accepts; he replies and announces the name he has chosen.
Each cardinal then greeted the pope to pledge his loyalty. The new pontificate had begun and we all returned to St Martha's for a fine meal and much celebration with the new pope.
In 2005 the cardinals arrived at the balcony in time to hear the announcement, it was daylight and I could see many still running down the Via di Conciliazione to enter the Square.
Once again St Peter's Square was filled by an enthusiastic crowd of 100,000, young and old, who came to hear the name of the new pope.
As a cardinal on the balcony I was again deeply moved by the faith of these people. On this occasion the announcement came in the evening with many torches lighting the darkness.
In 2005, Cardinal Ratzinger was well known and his appointment was instantly applauded. On this occasion many did not know the Argentinian Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio, the first pope to take the name of Francis of Assisi. However, his sincerity and simplicity quickly won them around. He will be much loved.
He is the first non-European pope since the 8th century, when three Syrian popes were elected. Many had escaped to Rome from the Islamic military occupation in Syria.
Pope Francis belongs to the Jesuit order started by St Ignatius Loyola from Spain in the 16th century. Well known in Sydney, the Jesuits run the North Sydney parish and two of our best known schools St Ignatius' College and St Aloysius' College.
The Jesuits led the fight to contain Protestantism and re-evangelise Europe in the Counter Reformation.
With his new name and his Jesuit background, Pope Francis embodies two of the most important reform movements in Catholic history; the rise of the Franciscan friars in the 13th century and the Jesuits 300 years later.
The Holy Father is the first of five children and his father was an Italian immigrant to Argentina. He studied chemistry at university before beginning the arduous training necessary to become a Jesuit priest.
He has been a strong and compassionate bishop, who should become a formidable pope. We are facing interesting times.
Cardinal George Pell is Archbishop of Sydney
No comments:
Post a Comment