God Is Always Near. Pope Francis
its methodology; the post-synodal commission, which would have a permanent consultative character; the consistories of cardinals with less formal agendas—canonization for example—but also other items, etc. So the source of the content is to be found there.
The second source has to do with present circumstances. I admit that it required a great effort on my part, during the first month of my pontificate, to organize the commission of the eight cardinals, which is an initial step. I was planning to address the financial aspect next year, because it is not the most important thing that needs to be done. But the agenda changed on account of circumstances that you know about, that are in the public domain. Problems arose that had to be dealt with.
The first problem had to do with the Institute for Works of Religion—namely, how to organize it, how to define it, how to reformulate it, and how to put right what needs to be put right. Hence, the origin of the first Commission of Reference, as it is called. You are familiar with the chirograph [an administrative document signed by the pope], what the aims are, who the members are, etc. Then we had the meeting of the commission of fifteen cardinals who follow the economic affairs of the Holy See. They come from all over the world. While we were preparing for this meeting, we saw the need to make a single Commission of Reference for the entire economic structure of the Holy See. In other words, the economic problem was not on the agenda when it had to be addressed, but these things happen when you’re in a position of governance: You try to go in one direction, but then someone throws you a ball from another direction, and you have to bat it back. Isn’t that the way it is? So, life is like that, but this, too, is part of the wonder of life. I repeat the question that you asked me about the Institute for Works of Religion—excuse me, I’m speaking Spanish. Excuse me; the answer came to me in Spanish.
Returning to the question you asked about the Institute for Works of Religion, I don’t know where the Institute for Works of Religion will end up. Some say that maybe it would be better as a bank, others say it should be an aid fund, others say it should be shut down. Well, that’s what people are saying. I don’t know. I trust the work being done by the personnel of the Institute for Works of Religion, who are working on this, as well as the members of the commission. The president of the Institute for Works of Religion is staying—the same one as before—whereas the director and vice–director have resigned. But I don’t know how all this is going to end up. But that’s fine, because we keep looking and we will come up with something. In this regard, we are human. We have to find the best solution. There’s no doubt about that. But the main characteristic of the Institute for Works of Religion [IOR, the Vatican Bank]—whether it should be a bank, an aid fund, or some other thing—is that it has to be one of transparency and honesty. It has to be. Thank you.
Father Lombardi
Thank you very much, Your Holiness. Now we move on to a representative from the Italian group. We have someone you know well—Andrea Tornielli—who will ask you a question on behalf of the Italian group.
Andrea Tornielli
Holy Father, I want to ask something perhaps a little indiscreet. As we set off, there was a photograph of you that went around the world where you are going up the steps of the plane carrying a black briefcase. Articles all over the world have commented on this new departure: the pope climbing the steps carrying his hand luggage, which has never happened before! So, there have been various suggestions about what the black bag contained. My questions are as follows: First, why were you carrying the black bag instead of a member of your entourage, and, second, could you tell us what was in it? Thank you.
Pope Francis
It wasn’t the code for the atom bomb! I was carrying it because that’s what I’ve always done. When I travel, I carry it. What was inside? There was a razor, a breviary, an appointment book, and a book to read. I brought one about St. Thérèse, to whom I have a devotion. I have always taken a bag with me when I travel. It’s normal. But we have to be normal. I don’t know; it seems a bit strange to me that you tell me the photograph made its way around the world. But we must get used to being normal—to the normality of life. I don’t know, Andrea, whether I have answered your question.
Father Lombardi
Now we will invite a representative from the Portuguese-language group to speak, Aura Miguel … from Radio Renascença.
Aura Miguel
Your Holiness, I want to ask why you are so insistent that people pray for you. It’s a little unusual to hear the pope asking people to pray for him so often!
Pope Francis
I have always made this request. When I was a priest, I asked for people to do so, but less frequently. I began to ask for prayers with greater frequency when I was a bishop, because I sense that if the Lord does not help me in this work of assisting the People of God to move forward, it won’t happen. I am truly conscious of my many limitations, my many problems, and I am a sinner—as you know! So, I have to ask for prayers. But it comes from within. I also ask Our Lady to pray to the Lord for me. It’s a habit, but a habit that comes from my heart and also a real need in terms of my work. I feel I have to ask. I don’t know—that’s just the way it is!
Father Lombardi
Now we move on to the English-language group, and we invite our colleague, Mr. Pullella from Reuters, here in front, to speak.
Philip Pullella
Your Holiness, on behalf of the English-language group, thank you for making yourself available. Our colleague, Juan de Lara, has already asked the one question we wanted to ask, but I would like to continue just a little further along the same lines. When you were seeking to make these changes [in the Curia], I recall that you told a group from Latin America that there are many saints working in the Vatican, but that there are also people who are a little less saintly. Didn’t you? Have you encountered resistance to your desire to change things in the Vatican? Have you met with resistance?
The second question is as follows. You live in a very austere manner: you have remained at Santa Marta, and so on. Would you like your collaborators, including the cardinals, to follow this example, and to live, perhaps, in community? Or is this something for you alone?
Pope Francis
The changes come from two sources: what we cardinals asked for, and what has to do with my own personality. You mentioned the fact that I remained at Santa Marta. I could not live alone in a palace even though it’s not luxurious. The papal apartment is not at all luxurious. It’s fairly large, but it’s not luxurious. However, I cannot live alone or with just a few people. I need people. I need to meet people and talk to people. That’s why when the children from the Jesuit schools asked me: “Why did you do that? For austerity, for poverty?” No, not at all. It was simply for psychological reasons because psychologically I can’t do otherwise. Everyone has to lead his own life, everyone has his own way of living and being. The cardinals who work in the Curia do not live wealthy, opulent lives: They live in small apartments that are rather austere—they really are austere, especially the ones with which I am familiar that APSA [the Administration of the Patrimony of the Apostolic See] provides for the cardinals.
It seems to me that there is something else I should say. Everyone has to live as the Lord asks him to live. But I think that austerity, austerity in general, is necessary for all of us who work in the service of the Church. There are many varieties of austerity, and each person must seek his own path. As regards the saints, it’s true. There are saints—cardinals, priests, bishops, sisters, and laypeople—who pray, people who work hard, and who also help the poor in hidden ways. I know of some people whose work it is to provide food for the poor, and then, in their free time, go to minister in this or that church. They are priests. There are saints in the Curia. And there are some who are not so saintly. These are the ones you tend to hear about. You know that one tree falling makes more noise than a whole forest growing. It pains me when these things happen. Then there are some who create a scandal, at least a few.