In the hit film “Conclave,” as several cardinals stand around the body of a pope who has just died, Cardinal Tremblay (played by John Lithgow) says seriously and sonorously, “Sede vacante! The seat is vacant.” It was one of the few moments in the film that rang a false note. I wanted the other cardinals to roll their eyes and say, “Yes, we know it’s a sede vacante. And we know what it means.”
But Cardinal Lithgow was right about one thing: It’s a serious time in the life of the church. Since the death of Pope Francis on Easter Monday, Catholics have been not only grieving the loss of a beloved spiritual leader but eagerly (nervously? hopefully? worriedly?) anticipating the election of another. The 12-year pontificate of Francis (not as long as John Paul II’s, but longer than Benedict XVI’s) means that some young people remember only Francis as pope.
Even for adult Catholics it can be a disconcerting time. Cardinals, bishops, priests and deacons, as well as religious brothers and sisters, wonder who their next boss will be. In a daily practice that reminds them of this sede vacante, priests may stumble over what to say in the Eucharistic Prayer instead of “Francis, our pope.” (Answer: You omit that phrase.) Here in Rome, where I’m writing from, many people walk past the Apostolic Palace and marvel that Francis is no longer behind those walls. Many lay faithful who looked to him for spiritual guidance ask if his successor will be as adept at speaking to them so clearly. Catholics accustomed to Francis’ outreach to those “on the peripheries” and his defense of the poor wonder who will speak for these groups now that he is gone. Overall, many Catholics are asking: “What next?”
Dozens, perhaps hundreds, have told me that this time of transition makes them feel unsure, unsettled and uncomfortable, three difficult feelings. Some people have even told me that they are afraid.
To which I say: Fear not!
Whether our next pope is more in line with Pius XII, John XXIII, Paul VI, John Paul I, John Paul II, Benedict XVI or Francis, the church will be in good hands. (By the way, I am not saying this because I have some inside knowledge of who will be elected.) Obviously, this does not mean that every name pronounced after the words “Habemus Papam” will thrill every Catholic. Some will be elated. Some will be disappointed. Some might say, “Who?” What it means is that the cardinal electors will be listening as best they can to the Holy Spirit, who will help them to find a good successor to Francis.
At this point it’s helpful to recall what Pope Benedict said when he was still Cardinal Ratzinger, about the election of the pope:
I would not say...that the Holy Spirit picks out the Pope, because there are too many contrary instances of popes the Holy Spirit would obviously have not picked. I would say that the Spirit does not exactly take control of the affair, but rather like a good educator, as it were, leaves us much space, much freedom, without entirely abandoning us. Thus the Spirit's role should be understood in a much more elastic sense, not that he dictates the candidate for whom one must vote. Probably the only assurance he offers is that the thing cannot be totally ruined.
“The thing cannot totally be ruined.” Or, as Jesus told St. Peter, not even the “gates of hell” will ruin the church. If that’s the case, then neither will whoever one perceives as a “bad pope.” The thing cannot totally be ruined.
Another common reaction I’ve heard is a deep sense of loss, even grief, that the “Francis era” is over. That is assuredly true. Even if the next pope takes the name “Francis II,” he will be his own person, perhaps carrying on the legacy of Francis, but in his distinctive key.
It’s also important to say that as a Jesuit, I will be faithful to, supportive of and obedient to the next pontiff. A few days ago, on the New York Times’ “Interesting Times” podcast, Ross Douthat asked me if I was worried that the next pope wouldn’t be supportive of ministry to L.G.B.T.Q. Catholics. Of course, I said, but Jesuits are also obedient to whomever is the vicar of Christ. That’s part of our vow of obedience as well as what St. Ignatius Loyola called “our way of proceeding.” And that’s no matter who is in the office. Our Superior General Arturo Sosa, S.J., put it well in a recent press conference when he reminded people that the next pope is not the “successor of Pope Francis,” but the “successor of St. Peter.”
But if you’re still grieving, here’s something to remember: Pope Francis will always be with us. Whatever happens in the church, it will always be true that we had Francis. Jorge Mario Bergoglio showed us in his own way what it meant to be a Christian, a Catholic, a Jesuit, a priest, an archbishop and a pope. Nothing that happens can ever change that. That should give Francis’ admirers some comfort in the days ahead, even if the road ahead is unclear.
As I’ve said, though I’m here in Rome and have spoken to a few cardinals, I have no inside information on who will be elected. The name that will be announced on the balcony of St. Peter’s will be as much of a surprise to me as it is to you. But whoever it is, I look forward to listening to him, trying to understand him and journeying with him on the Barque of Peter.
Let me end with a line from Daniel Huang, S.J., who worked for many years in Jesuit governance in Rome and now teaches missiology at the Pontifical Gregorian University here. In an essay addressed to Pope Francis after his death he wrote a lovely little prayer: “I confess I feel a little lost and apprehensive, now that we no longer have you. Teach me to continue to trust in the God of surprises.”
