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Pope Francis' social reform message is exactly what Brazil needs to hear Pope Francis' social reform message is exactly what Brazil needs to hear
(2 months later)
Catholic countries hardly remain the same after the visit of a popular pope. We saw this in Brazil with Pope John Paul II, in 1980, when millions welcomed the first pope to visit our country. Yes, Brazil was then a much more catholic country than it is now. But that didn't hold. A decade later, John Paul II returned and TV ratings fell drastically whenever he was on air. A result of the persecution under his leadership of the Liberation Theology-inspired Basic Ecclesial Communities? Maybe.Catholic countries hardly remain the same after the visit of a popular pope. We saw this in Brazil with Pope John Paul II, in 1980, when millions welcomed the first pope to visit our country. Yes, Brazil was then a much more catholic country than it is now. But that didn't hold. A decade later, John Paul II returned and TV ratings fell drastically whenever he was on air. A result of the persecution under his leadership of the Liberation Theology-inspired Basic Ecclesial Communities? Maybe.
Back then a gloomy outlook dominated Brazil with a recession, high inflation and low confidence. Failed economic plans – three – turned the 1980s into the "lost decade".Back then a gloomy outlook dominated Brazil with a recession, high inflation and low confidence. Failed economic plans – three – turned the 1980s into the "lost decade".
Amid this economic chaos, the Catholic Church began to lose the faithful. Pentecostal denominations filled the gap left by the Liberation Theology, banned after its leaders were condemned by the church of Rome in 1984 and 1986. This new protestantism drained followers even from Candomblé, the African religion brought by the slaves. In this religious democratization, 80% of babies were still baptized, but church attendance fell to 57%, according to a recent Datafolha survey.Amid this economic chaos, the Catholic Church began to lose the faithful. Pentecostal denominations filled the gap left by the Liberation Theology, banned after its leaders were condemned by the church of Rome in 1984 and 1986. This new protestantism drained followers even from Candomblé, the African religion brought by the slaves. In this religious democratization, 80% of babies were still baptized, but church attendance fell to 57%, according to a recent Datafolha survey.
This time, Francis is a popular pope who visits Brazil as a reformer in content as well as in form; one who proposes a new way of living the papacy. Refusal to accept the isolation and loneliness of the 300 square metre pontificial apartment has already given him irresistible sympathy – even more after having explained his choice for "psychiatric reasons".This time, Francis is a popular pope who visits Brazil as a reformer in content as well as in form; one who proposes a new way of living the papacy. Refusal to accept the isolation and loneliness of the 300 square metre pontificial apartment has already given him irresistible sympathy – even more after having explained his choice for "psychiatric reasons".
Add to that a repertoire surprising for those who did not know him: humility, deep consistency, grand and deeply symbolic gestures such as abdicating from luxury cars and vestments; and unwavering criticism of careerism and corruption in the church.Add to that a repertoire surprising for those who did not know him: humility, deep consistency, grand and deeply symbolic gestures such as abdicating from luxury cars and vestments; and unwavering criticism of careerism and corruption in the church.
Jorge Bergoglio lives in the Vatican as he did in Buenos Aires, in Villa Miseria, as a parish priest, a serious, deep pastor. Even in the face of traditionalists who consider this a desacralization of the institution of the Papacy. Walking into a favela is very different for Francis from what it meant to John Paul II.Jorge Bergoglio lives in the Vatican as he did in Buenos Aires, in Villa Miseria, as a parish priest, a serious, deep pastor. Even in the face of traditionalists who consider this a desacralization of the institution of the Papacy. Walking into a favela is very different for Francis from what it meant to John Paul II.
Seeing the Argentinian pope riding in a Fiat Punto, one of the least expensive of cars – his own choice – around the streets of Rio de Janeiro filled me with the deepest tenderness. And to think a pope who dares to change a centuries-old mentality risks being taken for an exotic populist.Seeing the Argentinian pope riding in a Fiat Punto, one of the least expensive of cars – his own choice – around the streets of Rio de Janeiro filled me with the deepest tenderness. And to think a pope who dares to change a centuries-old mentality risks being taken for an exotic populist.
This Latin America pope inherited from Benedict XVI a grand event in the south. And he landed in a recently-awakened Brazil where young people went out to demand better living conditions, to protest against poor healthcare, corruption and excessive spending on big events.This Latin America pope inherited from Benedict XVI a grand event in the south. And he landed in a recently-awakened Brazil where young people went out to demand better living conditions, to protest against poor healthcare, corruption and excessive spending on big events.
Many feared for this clash between pope and protesters. On the day of his arrival, they almost met in front of the Rio de Janeiro state government palace. But the fire bombs only started to fly after the pontiff had already left. Earlier, when caught in a traffic jam – a serious breach of security – Francis reacted elegantly, naturally. He kept his window down, and did not shy away from contact with the crowd who followed him.Many feared for this clash between pope and protesters. On the day of his arrival, they almost met in front of the Rio de Janeiro state government palace. But the fire bombs only started to fly after the pontiff had already left. Earlier, when caught in a traffic jam – a serious breach of security – Francis reacted elegantly, naturally. He kept his window down, and did not shy away from contact with the crowd who followed him.
Protests calmed down signigicantly during his stay. It's almost as if the pope pacified the country. But this can be deceiving.Protests calmed down signigicantly during his stay. It's almost as if the pope pacified the country. But this can be deceiving.
In some of his 15 speeches, the message to young people was clear and enthusiastic: do not allow yourselves to be fooled or excluded. Francis' visit will certainly inspire new conversions. But more than being a proselytist, this seems to be a pope that works toward unity, who adopts a new ecumenism, who embraces the Pentecostals – as he did as a cardinal in Argentina. He may even embrace atheists. He has said he prefers a moral atheist than a christian of dubious ethics.In some of his 15 speeches, the message to young people was clear and enthusiastic: do not allow yourselves to be fooled or excluded. Francis' visit will certainly inspire new conversions. But more than being a proselytist, this seems to be a pope that works toward unity, who adopts a new ecumenism, who embraces the Pentecostals – as he did as a cardinal in Argentina. He may even embrace atheists. He has said he prefers a moral atheist than a christian of dubious ethics.
The last two popes governed a church with a strong religious mission, with John Paul II adding in his political leanings at times. Francis proposes a social mission, a sort of Liberation Theology striped of ideological or political trappings. A church whose epicentre resides no longer in Europe, but in Latin America and the developing world. The popular pope may change faith in all the continent. With prayers, but mostly through action.The last two popes governed a church with a strong religious mission, with John Paul II adding in his political leanings at times. Francis proposes a social mission, a sort of Liberation Theology striped of ideological or political trappings. A church whose epicentre resides no longer in Europe, but in Latin America and the developing world. The popular pope may change faith in all the continent. With prayers, but mostly through action.
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