Pope Francis says resignation ‘has not occurred to me,’ gives awards to 3 actors
May 30, 2016
Addressing a question from a young person on whether he might resign, Pope Francis said that “it has not occurred to me to leave” because of the “responsibility” (“no se me ocurrió dejar de serlo por la responsabilidad”).
The Pope made his brief comment during a May 29 conversation with persons involved in Scholas Occurrentes, an Argentine organization that promotes educational projects to bring together young people from different cultures. The Pope was instrumental in establishing the organization when he was Archbishop of Buenos Aires.
In his wide-ranging comments, the Pope discussed the importance of identity, belonging, and gestures, expressed concern about the “atomization” of families and society, and lamented the death of children in war.
During the encounter, Pope Francis awarded medals to actors Richard Gere, George Clooney, and Salma Hayek for their work on behalf of Scholas Occurrentes.
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Further information:
- World Encounter of the Scholas Occurrentes - 2016.05.29 (YouTube Vatican)
- Udienza ai partecipanti al seminario di “Scholas Occurrentes” (domenica 29 maggio 2016) (Holy See Press Office)
- Pope Francis greets members of ‘Scholas Occurentes’, promoters of peace (Vatican Radio)
- Scholas Occurrentes (website)
- Scholas Occurrentes (Twitter)
- Pope rules out retiring like his predecessor (AP)
- Pope gives awards to Richard Gere, George Clooney and Salma Hayek (Reuters)
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Posted by: space15796 -
May. 30, 2016 7:33 PM ET USA
Pope Francis leaves me confused. I'm not sure what the medals signify. Am I supposed to look to these characters as an example?
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Posted by: Randal Mandock -
May. 30, 2016 8:32 AM ET USA
Pope Francis is definitely not a "respecter of persons" (Acts 10:34, cf. Rheims NT). The Wikipedia says that Gere is a Buddhist and Clooney an agnostic. Hayek is a more interesting case. As happens with so many other Americans from south of the border, she in some ways follows Pope Francis in his belief in "Jesus Christ and God" but does not believe in the "institutional" Church. Is her belief Trinitarian? The article does not say, but the influence of liberation theology is difficult to deny.
