Chief backers of Cardinal Parolin praise Pope Leo
Riccardi: "Prevost knows poverty. He will be able to implement Francis' ideas"
The founder of the Community of Sant'Egidio: he will be in continuity with his predecessor but he is not a clone, he does not have that impatient exuberance. He is a metapolitical Pope, with great experience
"A Pontiff has been chosen from among the cardinals who will be in continuity with the legacy of Pope Francis, but with a recognizable diversity in his religious temperament. I believe he will be an implementer of the intuitions of Jose Mario Bergoglio, launched many times and not always concluded", says Andrea Riccardi, founder of the Community of Sant'Egidio and historian of the modern and contemporary Church.
A few days ago, in a previous interview, we agreed that many of the analyses circulating on the Conclave that has yet to be opened were too Italian-centric. And even once it is over, Riccardi’s voice deserves to be listened to.
To what extent will Leo XIV be in continuity with Pope Francis?
"He is not a clone. He does not have his predecessor’s impatient and “portégna” exuberance, of Buenos Aires. He is a man polished by a gentle, constant service, and Francis wanted him close to him for his qualities of balance".
What could be an aspect of diversity?
"He will seek help in government, as he did as Superior General of the Augustinians".
In your opinion, what significance does the election of a cardinal from the United States have?
"It may surprise many because it has never happened before. But to understand, you need to delve into the biography of Robert Francis Prevost»".
Be the guide.
"A religious of the Augustinians. It has a dimension that is not only American, but universal. The risk is to be internal to the divisions of American Catholicism. Not with him. Then he was bishop in Peru in particularly disadvantaged areas. He knows the misery of the Peruvian people. He is a citizen of this country and yesterday he spoke to the faithful in Spanish, not in English".
Doesn't he miss "the smell of the sheep", of the "shepherds in the midst of their flock", as Francis recommended to priests?
"He has it. And he was called by Francis as Head of the Dicastery of Bishops, he followed his entire policy of appointing bishops, who are the future of the Church. Prevost was above the divisions and ambitions of the Roman Curia. Always a withdrawn figure. In the Curia he lived a hard-working life, but at the same time outside of debates and discussions. His is a very universal biography. American, Latin American, Roman. He is a Pope with great experience. He will find a people who have felt the emptiness of Francis's passing and the need for a spiritual leader. This people, as we have already seen from St. Peter's Square, will accompany him."
Where to?
"He is a man of peace, even within the Church. We will ask ourselves: will he be up to the task of conflicts, because he has no diplomatic experience?"
Speaking as Leo XIV to the square, he called for peace without mentioning the wars underway in Ukraine and Gaza. In refraining from mentioning them on his first occasion as Pope, he showed caution: at the time he avoided any word that could be interpreted in favor of one type of peace or another.
"He is a metapolitical Pope."
Above politics without lacking knowledge of it?
"Yes."
Last November, Avvenire reported a study according to which 56% of American Catholics would have voted for Donald Trump in the presidential elections. What line could Leo XIV follow towards them?
"It really goes beyond the American debates. He was not elected for the American debates. The fact that an American cardinal was ever elected showed the fear that he could be considered an expression of the greatest power. In this case, that is not the case. The personality identified has a universal dimension".
Since 1978, there has not been an Italian Pope. The last was Albino Luciani. Many predictions pointed to the outgoing Secretary of State Pietro Parolin. Does this mean that there is a lot of overestimation of how much Italy counts in the Church?
"A diplomatic Pope was not chosen. Parolin would have been. The choice concerned a pastor who then carried out Curia work, considered more suitable for dealing with questions of peace and war. There is an overestimation of the Italian Pope. It was as if there was a nostalgia for him, but I think they did not decide between an Italian and a non-Italian. The choice was for a man who could collect the legacy of Bergoglio and Prevost was a close collaborator".
In the internal dialectic of the Church, which line or conception of action prevailed?
"The unity of the Church prevailed. Certainly Leo XIV can reconcile those members of the Curia who wanted Parolin. He is a person of synthesis. And while at the beginning of the Conclave Mass Bergoglio was not remembered, the new Pope wanted him to be remembered
Cathcon: So what will happen to the China deal. So wicked, I have suggested that the community should be suppressed.
But note San'Egidio's role in the China agreement which leads me to think after the agreement is shredded, they need to be suppressed. @ProtecttheFaith https://t.co/MSNS6Z5nxP
— Catholic Conclave (@cathconclave) May 1, 2025
.jpeg)
Comments