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The Pope and the Presbyterian

The Source

I kept waiting for the call but my phone never rang. I assumed that after the College of Cardinals in Rome failed to reach a decisive ballot after a couple of tries that they’d call me to ask about my choice. Maybe they were busy or had misplaced my cell number. Not to be critical of the Roman Catholic Church, but it seems a bit inconsiderate that the revered body never consults Protestants, Presbyterians in particular, about their choice of Pontiff. After all, we live in the same world, we march in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade, we cheer for them in the state tournament, and we buy Routt/OSS Dreams tickets. The least that Rome could do to send me a quick text message saying, “Okay… Ratzinger or Sodado. What-a you think-a?” Since they didn’t ask, I’ll give the Presbyterian review of the new Pope. This is not the church’s official review, just the lay-view. Pastor Kay at First Prez can give the official evaluation since he’s known him longer (God, not the Pope.) Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio took the name of Francis and that’s a good beginning. Not only was St. Francis a model of servant-hood and humility, but I went to Assisi and wasn’t robbed. This is not a flippant comment. I’ve had pickpockets snatch the lint out of my pants in some of the finest Italian cities but when our group toured Assisi I went unmolested. I count that a plus on any European adventure. He knows how to fend for himself. While living in Argentina he often took the bus to work instead of riding in the customary limousine of the archbishop. He chose to live in an apartment instead of a palace and he cooked his own meals. There’s been no mention of whether Argentina has Schwan’s service so I assume his Holiness cooked from scratch. I think this is admirable. I my case, it would be miraculous, another great adjective to attach to any Pope. He’s conservative. Okay, this may be a bit on a contradiction since I tend to lead toward the more liberal side of the spectrum, but he’s the Pope and needs more stability than I do when I argue politics at the Arenzville coffee shop. If I make a misstatement the locals just laugh. Were the Pope to utter a boo-boo it would be church law. It’s best he holds his political cards close to his chest and errs on the side of tradition. He’s a hugger. When the Cardinals stooped to kiss his ring in the week following his election, Pope Francis would often clasp both their hands and in some cases give them a bear hug. There are worse things than having a Pontiff who knows how to hug. This was obviously a habit he developed on the streets of Assisi where he was in no danger of losing his wallet. He seems to be a regular guy. When the Cardinals took off for a celebratory meal in a Roman hotel, the new Pope waved away the fancy car and hopped onto the bus with them. Then instead of taking a place at the head of the table he simply looked for an empty chair…and paid his own tab. I’m sure that clergy of all denominations around the world gasped at the precedent that might be established of a priest or pastor picking up the check, but they’ll survive. He told Argentinians not to travel to Rome to celebrate, but rather give the money to the poor. Although this didn’t gain him any campaign donations from the airline industry, I think it’s admirable. He was rumored to be runner-up in 2005. There’s much to be said for hanging in there. In 2001 he washed and kissed the feet of AIDS patients in an Argentinian hospice and when he was formally announced as Pope he insisted to stand on the same level with his fellow Cardinals. Humility in high places is plus whether you have the arm of a Super Bowl quarterback or the ear of God on your side. Presbyterians admire humility…especially in others. Before he addressed the crowds in St. Peter’s Square, he asked them to pray for him. This was not because he’s lived 50 years with just one lung and didn’t have the breath. In world too full of Christians who are quick to tell me what God is saying, it’s nice to run into a guy who’d like some help in finding out. I guess this means a Presbyterian thumbs-up for Pope Francis. He can now include this rave review on all future publicity and he knows my number.