Pope speaks of his role in history, his personal security in new wide-ranging interview

June 13, 2014

Pope Francis condemned “the idolatry of money,” defended the record of Pope Pius XII, expressed misgivings about European separatist movements, and dismissed concerns about his own personal safety, in a new interview with the Spanish daily La Vanguardia.

(A complete English-language translation of the wide-ranging Vanguardia interview has been posted on the Catholic News Agency web site.)

The Pope revealed that when he first thought of inviting Israeli President Shimon Peres and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to the Vatican to pray together, he met with near-universal skepticism. But the idea gradually gained support, he said, and the meeting was a historic success.

When asked about his own place in history, however, the Pontiff shrugged off the question. “I have not thought about it,” he said, “but I like it when someone remembers someone and says: ‘He was a good guy, he did what he could. He wasn’t so bad.’ I’m OK with that.”

The Pope spoke emphatically about the persecution of Christians today, saying that it is “stronger than in the first centuries of the Church.” He said that he did not often speak about persecution because he does not want to give offense, but he remarked that “in some places it is prohibited to have a Bible or teach the catechism or wear a cross.”

Regarding the world’s economic system, the Pope insisted that a healthy system should be centered on the needs of men and women. “But we have put money at the center, the god of money,” he lamented. “We have fallen into a sin of idolatry, the idolatry of money.”

Pope Francis said that it “gives me a rash” when he hears criticism of Pope Pius XII for his alleged indifference to the Holocaust. He said that historical records will show that the wartime Pontiff took great strides to protect Jews from the Nazi genocide, and expressed confidence that when Vatican archives are opened up, they will show the extent of Pope Pius’ efforts.

Commenting on the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI, the Pope spoke of the possibility that his predecessor would be one of many eventual “popes emeritus.” He pointed out that until recently there were no emeritus bishops, but now there are many all around the world. Pope Francis also recalled that he had submitted his own resignation as Archbishop of Buenos Aires, and arranged for a place in a home for retired priests, before he was elected Roman Pontiff.

Turning to the question of movements of autonomy in Europe, the Pope alluded to the savagery unleashed by the break-up of Yugoslavia. He suggested that in places like Scotland and Catalonia, it would be wise to take separatist ambitions “with a lot of grains of salt.”

The Pope made light of concerns about his personal safety, dismissing concerns that he has refused to travel in a bulletproof Popemobile. “I know what could happen, but it is in God’s hands,” he said. He said that he could not tolerate travel in an armored “sardine can,” and laughed that “at my age I don’t have much to lose.”

Finally, the Pope—known as an avid soccer fan—said that he is interested in the World Cup tournament, but would try not to be a partisan fan. “I have promised to be neutral,” he said.

 

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Further information:

• Full text of Pope Francis' Interview with 'La Vanguardia (CNA)
• Entrevista al papa Francisco: "La secesión de una nación hay que tomarla con pinzas" (La Vanguardia)
• Pope opens up to Spanish daily (ANSA)
• Pope Francis: 'at my age, I've got nothing to lose' (Daily Telegraph)
• Pope voices fears over Scottish independence (Daily Telegraph)