VATICAN CITY
They ask him how much has changed after ten years of pontificate, and Francis: “I’m old. I have less physical resistance, the knee was a physical humiliation, even if it’s healing well now». In addition, the Pope has repeatedly said that “one governs with one’s head, not with one’s legs”.
During the trip to Congo on February 2, he had explained to his fellow Jesuits that he considered “that the office of Pope is ad vitam” and not to that of Benedict XVI. open possibility of resignation, except in exceptional cases: sudden disability that prevents him from being “fully conscious”, a contingency for which he, like his predecessors, received a letter of waiver from Paul VI since 2013. signed to Ratzinger; or when he “felt his strength failing”, like Benedetto.
And now, while Francesco confirms he’s not thinking about it, he speaks to RSI, the Italian-language Swiss radio and television, and clarifies what could make him decide in the future: «A tiredness that doesn’t let you see things clearly . The lack of clarity of knowing how to assess situations. Maybe even the physical problem. I always ask and follow the advice. How are you? It seems to you that I owe something to people who know me, even some intelligent cardinals. And they’re telling me the truth: go ahead, it’s alright. But please: scream in time”
The stroller
Things are going well now, even if he admits that “I was a bit ashamed” of having to drive around in a wheelchair. In the interview with Rsi, which will be broadcast on Sunday evening (www.rsi.ch), Francesco answers journalist Paolo Rodari’s questions and returns to his fondness for the suburbs: “Reality is seen better by the extremes than by the middle” , he repeats the condemnation of the “chatter” that is “a nuisance” and explains what he lacks in his previous life: “Walking, walking down the street. I walked a lot. I used the subway, the bus, always with people».
the wars
‘In just over a hundred years there have been three world wars: ’14-’18, ’39-’45 and this one which is a world war. It started in bits and pieces and now no one can say it’s not worldwide. The great powers are all entangled. The battlefield is Ukraine. There they all fight. That suggests the armaments industry. War is waged, old weapons are sold, new ones are tested. It’s not just Ukraine, Francis is thinking especially “of Yemen, Syria, the poor Rohingya in Myanmar. Why this suffering? Wars hurt. There is no Spirit of God, I don’t believe in holy wars.’
Ukraine and Putin
Before the invasion of Ukraine, Francis knew Putin. What would you say to him now if you met him? ‘I would speak clearly to him when speaking in public. He’s a cultured man. On the second day of the war, I went to the Russian Embassy to the Holy See to say that I was ready to go to Moscow on condition that Putin would give me a negotiation window. Lavrov wrote to me and thanked me, but now is not the right time. Putin knows I’m available. But there are imperial interests there, not only of the Russian Empire, but of other empires. It befits Empire to put nations second.’
Europe
‘At the moment she has a lot of young politicians, heads of government or ministers. I always tell them: Talk to each other. He’s from the left, you’re from the right, but you’re young, speak. It’s time for dialogue among young people».
The open church
“It’s true that I prefer the outcasts, but that doesn’t mean I reject the others,” he explains. “The poor are Jesus’ favorites. But Jesus does not send away the rich”. Jesus asks everyone to be brought to his table: “This means that no one is left out. He said go to the crossroads and call on everyone, sick, good and bad, small and large, Rich and poor, all. We must not forget: the Church is not a home for some, it is not selective. The holy faithful people of God are these: all of them.» Why do some feel excluded from the Church because of their circumstances? “Sin is always there. There are men and women in the Church who distance themselves. And that’s a bit of the vanity of the world to feel more righteous than others, but it’s not right. We are all sinners”.
The choice of Santa Marta
Francis explains again why he chose to stay in Santa Marta, where the cardinals were staying during the conclave: “Two days after the election, I went to take possession of the Apostolic Palace. It’s not that luxurious. It’s well made, but it’s huge. The feeling I had was like an inverted funnel. I can’t take it mentally. I happened to pass the room. And I said, “I’m staying here.” It’s a hotel, people come from all over.”
Benedict XVI
“He’s a man of God, I love him very much. The last time I saw him was at Christmas. He could hardly speak. He spoke softly, softly. They had to translate the words. It was clear. He asked questions: How is that? He was up to date on everything. It was a pleasure talking to him. I asked him for opinions. He gave his opinion, but always balanced, positive, wise. The last time, however, you could see that it was the end». Why the sober funeral? ‘The masters of ceremonies had ‘broke their heads’ trying to arrange the burial of an unofficial pope. The difference was difficult. Now I said to study the ceremonies for the funerals of future popes, everyone. They simplify a bit.”
prayer
“I’m sure everyone is praying. To the unbelievers I say: pray for me and if not, send good waves to me. An atheist friend wrote me like this. It’s a pagan way of praying, but it means loving one another. And to love another is a prayer».
After death
How do you imagine the afterlife? ‘I can’t imagine. I don’t know what it will be. I only ask Our Lady to be by my side».