CATHOLIC CHURCH IN CRISIS HABEMUS PAPAM: Steely determination lies beneath Pope Francis’s modest ways. REUTERS/ ALessaNDRO BIANCHI Jorge Bergoglio is charming and humble, but also deeply political, people who know him say A political pope BY PAULO PRADA AND HELEN POPPER BUENOS AIRES, MARCH 27, 2013 SPECIAL REPORT 1 CATHOLIC CHURCH IN CRISIS A Political POPE hen Jorge Bergoglio finished studying chemistry at high Wschool his mother asked him what he would study next. “Medicine,” replied the skinny 19-year- old, according to his younger sister, Maria Elena. Bergoglio’s mother cleared a storage room in the family’s working-class Buenos Aires home for him to use as a study. Every day, after his morning job in a lab, he would arrive home and disappear into the room. One morning, though, his mother got a surprise. In the room, she found not anato- my or medicine texts but books on theology and Catholicism. Perturbed at his change of course, she confronted her eldest son. “What is this?” she asked. Bergoglio responded calmly: “It’s medi- cine for the soul.” For the man who last week took over at the head of the Catholic Church, the shift MEDICINE FOR THE SOUL: Argentine Cardinal from medicine to religion was the first of Jorge Bergoglio in his early career (left and top many in a career that has often defied ex- left) and with his family (above). At first, he pectations. It was also an early hint at what told his mother he was studying medicine. Argentines who know Bergoglio, now 76, REUTERS/CLARIN/HANDOUT describe as a steely determination – pre- pared even to mislead his mother - that lies beneath his charming and modest exterior. “Jorge is a political man with a keen nose for politics,” says Rafael Velasco, a Jesuit was teaching. After being named a bishop he joked: “May God forgive you.” priest and former colleague who is now rec- climbed through the Church hierarchy itself, In Argentina, countrymen have ex- tor of the Catholic University of Cordoba, rising to lead Argentina’s largest archdiocese pressed glee that one of their own has be- in central Argentina. “It’s not an act, the and eventually being named a cardinal. come the first non-European pope in 13 humility. But it’s part of his great capacity Throughout his rise, Bergoglio eschewed centuries. Francis has also charmed millions to intuitively know and read people.” the trappings of the positions he attained. with his plainspoken banter, refusal to wear The first pope from Latin America is As Archbishop of Buenos Aires, he fa- ornate vestments and his insistence that he also the first Jesuit pope. Like priests from mously took the subway from his one-room pay his hotel bill in person the morning af- other orders, Jesuits take vows of poverty, apartment in the Argentine capital instead ter the conclave. Some genuinely hope he chastity and obedience, as well as a fourth of accepting the grand residence at his dis- can revive a Church roiled by scandal and special vow of obedience to the pope. They posal. When his name emerged as a possible undermined by rival religions and secular- also make a promise to refrain from seeking successor to John Paul in 2005, Bergoglio ism, which many Catholics find to be out of high Church offices. told family, friends and Argentine media touch with contemporary values. But Bergoglio rose steadily through the that he didn’t want to be pope. He loved At the same time, questions remain, not order’s leadership posts and beyond, some- Buenos Aires too much, he said. He had no least about the exact nature of Bergoglio’s times crossing swords with colleagues and desire to leave. role during the Argentine dictatorship’s once proving so meddlesome that a Jesuit When the conclave named him succes- “Dirty War” against leftists and other boss dismissed him from the school where he sor to Pope Benedict earlier this month, he Text continues on page 4 SPECIAL REPORT 2 CATHOLIC CHURCH IN CRISIS A Political POPE Experienced manager set for Vatican reform Francis of Assisi began his saintly career a coterie of close advisers and Curia following what he said was God’s command: departments that answer to the pope but “Rebuild my Church.” The new pope who often don’t talk to each other. took his name heard the same message Francis’s references to himself simply from the cardinals who elected him. as the bishop of Rome - the position from The 13th-century Francis toured the which his papal authority flows - hints at a Italian countryside repairing dilapidated willingness to involve the hierarchy around the chapels before realising his mission was to globe in running the world’s largest church. change the whole Roman Catholic Church. Hanvey said a first step would be to At 76, Pope Francis does not have as call heads of national bishops conferences ‘NOT TAMED BY LEADERSHIP’: Well-liked by his much time to get to work. around the world to meet regularly in staff, Bergoglio is also demanding and has little What the first Jesuit pope has is management Rome as advisers. This was proposed by the patience for bureaucracy. experience in his native Argentina ashead of the Second Vatican Council (1962-1965), but REUTERS/ALessaNDRO BIANCHI Jesuit province and chairman of the national Popes John Paul and Benedict used it so bishops conference. As archbishop of Buenos rarely that some bishops complained they Aires, he dealt with everything from poverty were being “treated like altar boys” rather clashes over the management at the bank. to national politics. than senior colleagues. The Council of Europe and the Bank of “He’s been at the top of the The Curia needs regular cabinet Italy have criticised it for lax anti-money- organisation, but he’s not been tamed meetings, more international staffers to laundering controls and oversight, two areas by that,” says Rev James Hanvey, a Jesuit overcome its domination by Italian clerics where the Vatican says it is improving. theologian. “In management speak, he’s and a full work day rather than schedules Critics also say the Church has not held to the core values. He wants us all to that end in early afternoon, U.S. theologian compensated victims of sexual abuse enough refocus on the core values.” George Weigel said. or held bishops sufficiently responsible for Bergoglio’s record shows he has strong It has only two women in senior posts, covering up cases. Francis would quickly convictions and is not afraid to take another aspect of the Curia critics say tarnish his compassionate image if he did not unpopular decisions. Jose Maria Poirier, needs to be changed. go beyond the apologies and meetings with editor of the lay Catholic monthly Criterio One overlooked fact is that the Curia, victims that Benedict pioneered. in Buenos Aires, said Church staff there with just over 2,000 employees, is actually Reputed to be a theological conservative, described him as an “attentive, human and understaffed. “They’re overwhelmed,” said one Francis has criticised Argentina’s considerate” boss who is also demanding, senior figure from another religion in contact government for legalising same-sex has little patience for bureaucracy, and with the Curia, who asked not to be named. marriage, opposes abortion and women appoints talented assistants. priests and defends the celibacy rule for His predecessor Benedict’s failure in this WAITING FOR OTHER SIGNALS male clergy. But he has also upbraided regard was partly to blame for the infighting The opaque operations at the Vatican priests who refused to baptise babies of that crippled the Curia bureaucracy and came bank, known as the Institute for Works of unmarried mothers. He has admitted to to light in leaked Vatican documents last year. Religion (IOR), were widely discussed among being “dazzled” by a young lady while in The first hint Francis gave of plans to change cardinals ahead of the conclave. Francis the seminary and said he helps priests who the Curia came three days after his election has criticised globalisation and unfettered struggle with their vow of celibacy. when he reappointed its top bureaucrats capitalism in the past, so he may take a All this suggests a softer edge to some of temporarily rather than permanently, as critical look at the bank, but he has not his positions. “Benedict was clearly labelled” Benedict did after being elected in 2005. indicated his plans. as a doctrinaire conservative, said Italian With his humble style, the pope has The book “His Holiness,” which theologian Massimo Faggioli. “It will be begun deflating the imperial side of the published the leaked Vatican documents easier for (Francis) to say things without the Vatican, which resembles a Renaissance last year, detailed alleged corruption, audience having a ready response.” monarchy with an absolute sovereign, inflated prices for work in the Vatican and By Tom Heneghan SPECIAL REPORT 3 CATHOLIC CHURCH IN CRISIS A Political POPE SOCCER FAN: When he emerged as a possible successor to John Paul in 2005, Bergoglio said he loved Buenos Aires too much to leave. Here in 2011, he is pictured with fans of the San Lorenzo soccer club, which he supports. REUTERS/SAN LORENZO ATHLETIC CLUB/HANDOUT political opponents in the 1970s and early of Flores in central Buenos Aires. His fa- During his first year at high school – a 1980s. Some also point to his description ther, an Italian immigrant, worked as an ac- six-year vocational course focused heavily of gay marriage as “the work of the devil” as countant in a hosiery factory.