Cultures often pass on their wisdom by means of proverbs. In the 18 years that I lived in Rome, I struggled to make sense of some of the more colorful Italian sayings. Given the strength of the Catholic Church in Italian life over the centuries, it shouldn’t be surprising that many of those sayings involved ecclesiastical references. For example, a Roman who wants to say that something happens very rarely, might indicate that it happens only “ogni morto del papa” (every time a pope dies). Whether that’s better than “once in a blue moon” I’ll leave to you.
A Roman, on the other hand, who wants to emphasize that no one is irreplaceable, might, without intending any disrespect, remind us that “morto un papa, si fa un’altro” (when one pope passes another is made).
I’m confident that another amazing pope will indeed “be made,” but I am sure glad that we have had a chance in these past weeks to mourn the passing of Pope Francis. With the passing of Pope Francis, so many communicated to me their sadness. I was overwhelmed by the number who came to the Cathedral of St. Paul in St. Paul for an impromptu noon Mass on the day of the pope’s passing, and I was delighted by the stories that they shared.
Pope Francis clearly touched the hearts of many Minnesotans, even non-Catholics. I was grateful, for example, to receive a letter of condolence from the Jewish Community Relations Council that spoke of Pope Francis as a “resolute global force for good and a champion of dignity for all.” The Islamic Center of Minnesota likewise mentioned the late Holy Father’s “commitment to concepts of peace, justice, and compassion for marginalized communities throughout the world” and noted that he served as “a reminder of our collective moral obligation to serve the poor and those in need.” A number of the Lutherans who participated with me in the “Together in Hope” pilgrimage in 2018 sent photographs of our encounter with Pope Francis, obviously cherishing that moment.
Pope Francis, the first pope , was an amazing man who will surely be missed. I’ll always be particularly grateful for his exceptional kindness to the young adults from our archdiocese who accompanied the bishops from our region on our last ad limina visit. I’ll always be indebted, moreover, for the time that he gave to me and the organizers of our Archdiocesan Synod when we traveled to Rome on a pilgrimage of thanksgiving. While the Holy Father’s staff was rightfully mindful of the demands on his calendar, he certainly gave the impression of wanting to spend more time with us.
If there was any doubt that the Holy Father had special affection for our archdiocese, let’s not forget his prayers for us at his first General Audience in June 2020 when he spoke about being joined with the “Church in St. Paul and Minneapolis” as our community reeled from the death of George Floyd. While he spoke often about the call to accompany those in need, he modeled it for us on that day, accompanying us in our grief and distress.
It’s significant in this Jubilee Year that Pope Francis had called us to be “pilgrims of hope.” It is with true Christian hope that we can be confident that the conclave will provide us with the leadership that our Church needs to address the challenges of 2025 and beyond. While no one knows for certain who will be elected as successor to Peter (an Italian proverb indicates that “the one who enters the conclave as pope exits as a cardinal”), we need not be anxious or fearful. As I have stated before on these pages, we have a God who has a plan.
Please join me in praying for the cardinal electors who will be assuming the huge responsibility of electing the next head of the universal Church. May they be selfless, and true instruments of the Holy Spirit in this important work.
Please join me as well in praying for whomever is going to be elected. The Roman Missal provides a prayer in the “Mass for the Election of the Pope” that could help us to articulate our desires at this time:
“O God, eternal shepherd,
who govern your flock with unfailing care,
grant in your boundless fatherly love
a pastor for your Church
who will please you by his holiness
and to us show watchful care.”
I was blessed to be in St. Peter’s Square on the day that Pope Benedict XVI was elected and the experience will be forever etched in my memory. While I had always admired Cardinal Ratzinger for his intellect and kindness, I came to see a new vigor and holiness in him after his election and attributed that to the prayers of the faithful and the work of the Holy Spirit. With that in mind, let us already begin to lift up our new Holy Father in prayer, asking Mary, Mother of the Church, to wrap her mantle of charity and protection around him. May all that he will accomplish be for the glory of God.
