Pope Francis: A voice from the sickbed

Pope Francis’s first “proof of life” since entering the hospital on 14 February came this past week, in the form of a recorded audio message played for the faithful gathered in St. Peter’s Square on the evening of Thursday, 6 March, before the nightly Rosary for his health.

No photo of the Pope in the hospital has been released, and the Pope had never been seen. Access to his room is restricted, and very few people are allowed to meet him.

Pope Francis’s message was very short, delivered in his native Spanish with a voice tired and worn out by illness. Beyond the words of thanks, the message testified to two things: Pope Francis is really not well, and Pope Francis has absolutely no intention of stepping aside. In fact, all the evidence indicates he nourishes the desire to return to the stage as a protagonist.

In these days of hospitalization, Pope Francis has never formally stopped working. Pope Francis has never really delegated, either. He has always personally made the decisions he considered most important, and he has never really created a team around himself. The private secretaries have often changed, as have those who constitute the “real” papal court, a series of characters who orbit around Pope Francis and who, at times, guide his choices.

Now that the Pope is in the hospital, this void around him is somehow felt. Pope Francis wanted to be a single man in command, and there were no other intermediaries between him and the decisions.

Making his voice heard, therefore, reflects more than anything the Pope’s precise will to remain on the scene. Tired and almost without strength, the Pope’s voice told everyone that it is true that the Pope will certainly not return to his previous life, but that he wants to return. It was also a message to those who speculated about his possible renunciation of the papacy. Pope Francis will not renounce the office. He wants to remain until the last minute.

Then, there are other circumstances to consider.

Pope Francis has never given a legal framework to the figure of Pope Emeritus in these twelve years, despite Benedict XVI having lived for almost ten years in the Vatican with that title. The Pope has not even given a legal framework to the question of the possible “impeded Pope.” To put it briefly: what would happen if the Pope, during his hospital stays, found himself in such a disabling physical condition that he could not govern?

There are no rules in the Church that define this eventuality, but a group of international scholars, led by Professor Geraldina Boni, has started the “Progetto Canonico Sede Romana,“  a platform to discuss possible legislative proposals both to outline the figure of the Pope Emeritus and to give certain rules in the event of the Pope’s impeded seat.

Pope Francis, however, is unlikely to address this legal vacuum. He has not done so in nine years of cohabitation with Pope Emeritus and is unlikely to do so now. Just as it seems unlikely that Pope Francis will go and change the rules of the Conclave, something that many are afraid of. The Pope has not changed them in twelve years, and he knows that a change now would mean showing public opinion that he wants to control his election. He could decide not to care.

Pope Francis, however, is very sensitive to the image he will give to posterity.

Despite the encouraging medical bulletins, it also seems we are running out of time for real structural reform of such important issues. When Benedict XVI decided to modify the norms of the Conclave to allow it to begin even before the fifteen days from the beginning of the sede vacante required, he was unable to make a structural reform. He made a motu proprio, with slight modifications, especially ceremonial ones.

Pope Francis has legislated by means of the motu proprio more than any other Pope in recent history. He could go that route here, as well. It seems unlikely, however, that he should use any of the precious little energy available to him at present, in order to begin a reform that may not even have concrete effects.

Pope Francis has already expanded participation in the Conclave, exceeding the ceiling of 120 cardinals established by Paul VI and creating cardinals from every part of the world, as if every part of the world had to be represented in the College of Cardinals and then in the choice of the new Pope. Pope Francis has derogated from the rules to broaden the electoral base without changing them. He can do the same as long as he is alive.

If the Pope is governing and wants to continue governing, why are there all these rumors about his resignation?

Because, as always happens at the end of a pontificate, things begin to be redefined. The cardinals, speaking about his resignation, also told their vision of the Church. Some issues, with the next pontificate, are destined to grow, others that are destined to have renewed interest.

Synodality, for example, will soon be set aside. We will probably return to the idea of a living presence in society, a Church that also knows how to be a “cultural warrior” to re-establish the truths of faith. A hand will be extended to the faithful of the traditional Mass, whom this pontificate has practically exiled.

It will not be a revolution or a restoration. It will be the search for a balance where the wounds have been hard and difficult to heal. The gossip and speculation tell us this. The fact that Pope Francis has agreed to send an audio message tells us that the Pope does not want to give up. Strange situation, the one in which the Church finds itself today.