Msgr. Lopez-Gallo continues his series on the eight Popes who forged his priesthood. This week, he continues with Pope Francis. 

Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio on Dec. 17, 1936, is the 266th and current Pope of the Catholic Church, the Bishop of Rome and the Sovereign of the State of Vatican City.  He chose Francis as his papal name in honour of St. Francis of Assisi.  He is the first Jesuit Pope, the first from the Americas, and the first Pope from outside Europe.

Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Jorge Bergoglio worked briefly as a chemical technologist and nightclub bouncer before beginning seminary studies.  He was ordained a Catholic priest in 1969, and from 1973 to 1979 was Argentina’s provincial superior of the Society of Jesus.  He became Archbishop of Buenos Aires in 1998 and was created a cardinal in 2001 by St. John Paul II.

He led the Argentine Church during the December 2001 riots and the administrations of Nestor and Cristina Kirchner who considered him a political rival.  Following the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI on Feb. 11, 2013, Cardinal Bergoglio was elected as his successor on March 13.

Throughout his public life Pope Francis has been noted for his humility, emphasizing God’s mercy, concern for the poor, and commitment to interfaith dialogue.  Another characteristic is his abhorrence for luxury, choosing to reside in the guesthouse Domus Sanctae Martha rather than in the apostolic palace used by his predecessors. 

He maintains that the Church should be more open and welcoming, and it is here that I must mention the first audience I had with His Holiness.  I was introduced to him last March by Msgr. George Ganswein, prefect of the Pontifical House, who performs the duties of private secretary to both popes – Francis, in the morning, and Pope Emeritus, Benedict XVI in the afternoon. 

After my audience with Pope Francis, I asked Msgr. Ganswein to take me to meet the retired Pope but I was surprised by his response.   “No, no.  He does not want to see anybody.”  I understood and respected Cardinal Ratzinger’s wish to live a solitary life and his profound dedication to be absorbed in prayer, and I returned to my room at Domus Sanctae Martha

The next day, a little envelope was slipped below the door of my room.  A note was inside: “Pedro, you are in Rome.  Come to see me tomorrow at 10:30 a.m.  Benedict XVI, Emeritus.”  Our meeting was very emotional as we recounted our memories of the ecumenical council Vatican II. 

Although the question of the retirement of bishops was among the changes, the council never wanted to deal with this matter.

Among the hundreds of cardinals and bishops, we were three good friends – Joseph Ratzinger, Thomas Winning, who would later become a cardinal and Archbishop of Glasgow, and myself – simple priests, but we were young and optimistic about the future of the Church. 

Father Winning was in favour of the proposed retirement age, saying, “Yes, bishops at this age are senile.” 

I was opposed: “The Holy See can provide auxiliary or coadjutor bishops.  And you, Joseph?”

“It depends on the bodily condition," he said. "Some at 40 are prematurely old, others at 90 are mentally young.”

The Pope emeritus said: “Look, Pedro, both of us are nearly 90.  I cannot continue administering the Vatican.  You are still an active priest.   God bless you.  Continue to serve the Archdiocese of Vancouver.”

I returned home considering how fortunate we are to have so many holy men and women in our lifetime.  I, in particular, have had the good fortune to meet, to speak with, in some cases to confess to, some such holy people – Mother Teresa, Padre Pio, the holy Pontiffs I met in Rome.

Francis maintains the traditional views of the Church regarding the ordination of women and clerical celibacy.

Francis maintains the traditional views of the Church regarding the ordination of women and clerical celibacy.  With the promulgation of Laudato Si, he has supported taking action on climate change.  In international diplomacy, he has helped restore full diplomatic relations between the U.S. and Cuba, and is also trying to do the same with China.  He celebrates the Holy Thursday ritual washing of feet in places such as jails, hospitals, retirement homes and slums. 

Elected Pope at the age of 76, Francis was reported to be in good health and his doctors have stated that his missing lung tissue, removed in his youth, does not have a significant impact on his health. 

Personally, I was very interested and affected by Francis’s procedural reforms in Church tribunals for a declaration of nullity of marriage.  For more than 60 years of my priestly ministry, 25 years in the Vatican and over 30 in Vancouver, I have worked in these agencies of the Holy See, first in the Appeal Tribunal in Rome. 

Sweeping changes have been effected by his Mitis Iudex – no more fees for a nullity investigation and declaration of invalidity, an abbreviated process, and removal of a second concurrent decision.  And more, as we will see.