( writen by Marian T. Horvat, Ph.D.)
Among many egalitarian innovations of the new Pope, one that is particularly shocking is his constant disregard for the papal titles. Since the title represents the office, one can only suspect that he holds the traditional idea of the Pope as Supreme Pontiff as superfluous, remnants of a still lingering medieval monarchical mentality that he is trying to eradicate.
One does not win points with Jorge Bergoglio by calling him Supreme Pontiff of the Universal Church (Summus Pontifex Ecclesiae Universalis) or just the Sovereign Pontiff (in Latin, Summus Pontifex). He refers to himself as the Bishop of Rome, just the first among equals of the Cardinals. As for addressing him with the traditional title “Your Holiness,” which seems the bare minimum of respect to show for the Head of the Catholic Church, even that is no longer necessary. When he is asked what he should be called, he responds quickly, “Just call me Jorge.” José María del Corral, director of the ‘School of Neighbors’ educational program in Buenos Aires was one of the Pope’s special guests at his Inaugural Mass. In passing, let me stress that this school, an initiative supported by Card. Bergoglio, is not to catechize the youth in the Catholic Faith. Rather, it brings together young people of different religions to teach them tolerance and “respect” for their differences. In effect, it promotes religious indifference. When Corral “bumped into” the Pope in the elevator, he asked, “How should I refer to you now?” The Pope answered, “Call me Jorge, what else?” This egalitarian gesture brought tears of joy to Corral’s eyes. I think it should bring tears of sorrow to the eyes of Catholics who love and revere the See of Peter and all that it represents.
No longer official titles
There is the report about how he was calling the Archdiocese of Buenos Aires to check in before celebrating Mass in St. Peter´s Square. This Jesuit, who should love the papacy above all things, instead loves to show the Pope is nothing but one of the people. This is why he makes his own phone calls. When a nun answered the phone, she asked “Who is calling?” and he said “Father Jorge.” The nun said “Your Holiness?” He responded, “Oh no, it's Father Jorge,” as if to say that this was not a time for official titles.
There is also the story circulating about how the Pope called the street newsstand in Buenos Aires where he purchased his daily paper for the last years. He wanted to cancel the subscription. Daniel del Regno answered the phone and heard a familiar voice, “Hello Daniel, Cardinal Jorge speaking.” The man thought it was one of his friends playing a joke on him, but the Pope insisted, “I’m serious. I’m Jorge Bergoglio. I am calling you from Rome.” And Daniel, realizing it was the Supreme Pontiff speaking, also broke down in tears. Later that day “Cardinal Jorge” telephoned his dentist to cancel his May teeth cleaning appointment. Then he made other calls, one to terminate his phone cell service, and another to give his plumber detailed instructions on fixing the showers in the bishop's residence next to the Basilica.
"One thing nice about this job (!!! )," noted Pope Francis about the Papacy, "is that I have lots of free time (!!!). Everything in the Church is running smoothly."
If actually he has lots of free time, it is not difficult to surmise that he is using all of it to destroy the dignity of the Papacy. In the two weeks since he became Pope, he had already destroyed as many symbols of the Papacy as the other five conciliar Popes together before him… By the way, if the Pope has so much free time, as Francis says, why did Benedict XVI renounce the office alleging he could not handle the overwhelming weight of governing the entire Catholic Church? One of the two Popes seems to not be telling us the truth..
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