In a recent interview during the preliminary meetings of the general congregations prior to the upcoming conclave, Cardinal Christophe Pierre, papal nuncio to the United States, shared insights into the legacy of Pope Francis and the church’s evangelizing mission.
Cardinal Pierre emphasized understanding Pope Francis’s background, noting the significance of his identity as a Jesuit priest and his formation in Argentina.
“He was born and educated in Argentina, even if – as many in Latin America – he has European roots. He grew up in South America, where the Second Vatican Council was a very big event,” he said.
The cardinal pointed out that both he and Pope Francis entered the seminary during the transformative era of the Second Vatican Council in the early 1960s.
“The church is not monolithic; it is the assembly of those who believe in Christ, and from time to time, they meet to examine how to respond to the challenges of our time,” Cardinal Pierre remarked.
He elaborated on the evolution of evangelization in Latin America over the last 55 years, highlighting significant bishops’ meetings such as those in Medellín, Puebla de los Angeles, Santo Domingo, and Aparecida.
Reflecting on the challenges faced by the church, Cardinal Pierre noted that the 1968 Medellín conference arose in a context of economic and social injustice.
“Medellín happened within a context of scandal, because of the injustice, the difference between the rich and the poor in a Catholic continent. That’s when the bishops made a preferential option for the poor, and this hasn’t changed,” he explained.
Medellín, the second regional meeting for Latin American bishops, focused on interpreting Vatican II’s teachings in light of regional realities, stressing liberation and empowerment.
Cardinal Pierre highlighted that Pope Francis, while deeply rooted in Latin American culture, avoided influences of Marxist ideology present in some iterations of Liberation Theology.
“Bergoglio, even as a South American, never embraced this Marxist version of liberation theology, embracing instead the theology of the people,” he stated.
The cardinal credited the 2007 Aparecida meeting as influential in shaping the papal mission of Francis.
“This man, through the intervention of God, divine providence, became pope. I say, ‘Pope Francis was born in Aparecida,’” he remarked, paralleling St. John Paul II’s emergence at Puebla.
In 2007, then-cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio played a central role in drafting the final document of Aparecida, which underscores the foundational themes of Pope Francis’s first encyclical, ‘Evangelii Gaudium.’
Cardinal Pierre posited that Pope Francis’s encyclicals stem from the spirit of Aparecida, forming a continuity in his papal mission.
Looking forward to the upcoming conclave, Cardinal Pierre spoke of the necessity for the church to continue embracing the missionary spirit.
“Today, as a church, we need to provide the people the possibility of an encounter with Christ and, as a result of that encounter, we need to become missionaries,” he articulated.
He described the conclave as an opportunity for the cardinals to remain open to the Holy Spirit, emphasizing that the future should focus on continuity rather than attempting to replicate the past.
“We cannot repeat, we cannot clone Pope Francis,” he asserted, urging a focus on ongoing mission.
When questioned about any shortcomings of Pope Francis, Cardinal Pierre offered a positive assessment.
“Honestly, I don’t see any flaw in Pope Francis. Yes, he was a human being, and the truth is, the attraction to the person comes from his flaws. But I never put myself as a judge,” he explained.
He acknowledged that while Pope Francis may have trusted too much in certain individuals, this was not a significant issue.
Cardinal Pierre reflected on the integrity and coherence of Pope Francis’s leadership.
“His determination, his analysis, his answer to the challenges never changed,” he praised, adding, “This is the church I believe in. I was touched by that. I have no objections to him.”
As a transitional period approaches for the church, Cardinal Pierre urged the faithful to embrace a spirit of missionary discipleship.
“The invitation to become missionaries is essential. But missionaries in the sense that we will go out and share the good news,” he commented.
He stressed that authentic evangelization requires personal transformation before one can effectively proclaim the Gospel.
Reflecting on his own missionary experience, including his time in Uganda, Cardinal Pierre highlighted the impact of the Pontifical Mission Societies and the financial support they provide.
“When I was in Uganda, thanks to TPMS, I was distributing 4 million dollars. And we need to continue to be able to do this,” he stated confidently.
As cardinals prepare for their gathering for the conclave, Cardinal Pierre expressed anticipation for the rich discussions that lie ahead.
“The cardinals are there for a purpose. I think it’s true that there is a reason why Pope Francis went to the far ends of the world to find some of the cardinals,” he concluded.
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