Pope Francis, who led the Catholic church for 12 years and is being remembered for the humanity he brought to his role as a global leader, will be buried on Saturday. After the funeral, the cardinals will begin the process of selecting a new pope.
Dugan McGinley, a professor of religion whose areas of focus include contemporary Catholicism, talked to Rutgers Today about the legacy of Pope Francis, the process for electing his successor, and whether there will ever be an American pope.
What is the legacy of Pope Francis? How did he reshape the role of the papacy and what set him apart from his predecessors?
In terms of his legacy, Pope Francis will be remembered for his modest, self-effacing style and his openness to meeting with and hearing from people who live on the margins. He insisted upon the dignity of every human person and backed this up with serious condemnations of the ways modern society disenfranchises certain people. He was especially vocal about the plight of migrants and the immorality of making borders more important than love and compassion. He wrote several profound encyclicals and exhortations, including one entirely devoted to environmental concerns - a first for a pope. Yet, despite the various problems he identified in today's world, he radiated a sense of joy and optimism that many people found compelling.
Pope Francis took a more pastoral approach to the papacy than his predecessors Benedict XVI and John Paul II, whose approaches were much more dogmatic by comparison. This means that Francis tended to worry less about doctrine than the practical application of doctrine in people's lives. Even though this was a source of consternation for more conservative Catholics who often accused Francis of moral ambiguity or even heresy, I think Francis modeled a more flexible understanding of what it means to be a person of faith in the 21st century. It would not be accurate, however, to say he was patently liberal or progressive. For example, though he famously made strides in opening up space for LGBTQ persons and appointing women to high-level positions, he never actually changed church doctrine in terms of sexuality and gender.
What are the main responsibilities of the pope, and who is fulfilling them in the interim?
The pope is officially the bishop of Rome and the supreme head of the universal church, but he is also a head of state (Vatican City). The pope provides vision and direction, guiding the Catholic Church in much the same way a CEO guides a company. Fortunately, the Vatican is a well-oiled machine and the day-to-day operations of the church will go on as usual. Remember that Pope Francis was recently hospitalized for a number of weeks, so the same priests and staff members who kept things going then will do so now. Larger duties and decisions like the appointment of bishops and interventions in world events will have to wait until the next pope is elected.
Centuries ago, the papacy played a central role in politics and government. In today's world, what impact does the pope have in culture, government relations, politics, and global affairs?
The power of the papacy lies in its symbolic value as a voice of moral authority. When he speaks, people listen. Obviously, not everyone agrees with him, but people appreciate when a voice of such magnitude is on their side (and he is easily disregarded if he is not on their side). In general, the more charismatic the pope, the more of an impact he makes. This is why Pope Francis made it a point to travel and to meet people where they are. Even though he is the leader of the Roman Catholic church, the pope remains an important figurehead for Christianity throughout the world.
Can you explain the process for selecting a new pope and the factors and traits that might influence the selection?
The movie Conclave provides a relatively accurate depiction of the process. Members of the College of Cardinals under 80 years of age gather in secret to elect the next pope, who is almost always selected from among themselves (though that is not technically a requirement). They are vowed to secrecy, so we never know exactly how the conversations go, even after the fact. For now, there will be lots of speculation about potential candidates as journalists scour the ranks of the cardinals and interview various bishops.
Even though Pope Francis has appointed a majority of the current cardinals who are eligible to vote (and has not similarly rewarded several bishops who were most critical of him), there is no guarantee the next pope will share Francis's priorities. Consider that Pope Francis was very unlike his predecessors Benedict XVI and John Paul II, who themselves followed more progressive popes in John Paul I, Paul VI, and John XXIII, who convened the Second Vatican Council in the 1960s, and whose pastoral spirit Pope Francis channeled in many ways. Sixty years later, the interpretation of that landmark council is still contested, and the cardinals themselves will no doubt reflect those varied interpretations.
Would an American ever be selected pope, now or in the future? Why or why not?
It's highly unlikely. Americans constitute less than 10% of global Catholicism, and less than 10% of the College of Cardinals. Pope Francis made it a point to diversify the College so that it is more representative of the global south, which is where the majority of Catholics live today. While Europeans still constitute almost 40% of the total, they are no longer the majority. Quite simply, the demographics are not pointing in the direction of an American pope.
