Posted by Henri M on March 16, 2013, 5:07 pm, in reply to "Re: Habemus Papam!"
I like the human approach of the Pope but I also liked the tradition upheld by Benedictus XVI. All those stories about 'how sober' the new Pope lived (in his own appartment, taking the bus) irritated me a bit. Cardinal Ratzinger equally lived a very sober life, living in a small appartment in Trastevere with his piano as the only luxury he permitted himself. Ratzinger was known for going to the Vatican by feet, greeting the neighbours, the shopowners, the people on the street and always having something for the stray cats, as he was (and is) a cat lover.
Now people are almost fainting because Cardinal Bergoglio was apparently such a simple man, always taking a bus. He has set the first tone by leaving the mozetta and the choir dress and even the papal stole aside during his first appearance on the balcony. It is a false accusation that it would save money or something, as Benedictus XVI very frequently wore mitres, chasubles, stoles, pectoral crosses or used chairs, desks and other items which wear all already available and used by other Popes before him.
Pope Johannes XVIII was more or less like Bergoglio, but he remained true to the splendor of the papacy. The new Pope must be careful not to manoeuvre himself in an impossible position. 'Pope of the Poor' but at the same time he can not close down the Vatican Musea with all the treasures inside, he can not auction off all those splendid jewels because these artworks are THE milking cow of the Holy See and bring enormous amounts of money to maitain the papal administration.
Pic: Jorge Mario Cardinal Bergoglio, Archbishop of Buenos Aires celebrating Mass in the Cathedral, look at the immense splendour (so he will not sell the tablesilver...)
on March 16, 2013, 5:07 pm, in reply to "