Erlandson in Rome: A pope who is bishop

By Greg Erlandson

It is late, but the Roman rain has stopped, at least temporarily, and the air is now thick with excitement and wonder over the election of Pope Francis.

A few quick observations about Jorge Mario Bergoglio. He is a man marked by great humility. He asked for our prayers, and he led us in prayer. He asked for our blessing even as he blessed us.

He never once used the word "pope," but referred to himself as Bishop of Rome, and he called his predecessor "Bishop Emeritus of Rome." This may have great ecumenical implications, but it also suggests that he is modeling behavior for the leaders of the Catholic Church as well.

Cardinal Dolan told several great stories that underscored the humility of our new pope. For example, Francis rushed the rituals that inaugurate his reign so that he could address the people in the square who had been standing so patiently in the rain for hours. As an archbishop he rode the bus to work in Buenos Aires, and when the cardinals rode back to the Domus Santa Marta for dinner, the new pope rode in the last minibus with them.

Make no mistake, however. He is intelligent. He is said to be firm. One story is that when he has bad news, he gives it to you himself rather than delegating the task, but that he also gives you good news when you have done something praiseworthy.

He is a Pope who was chosen, I believe, because the cardinals want a renewal of the Church. "Help rebuild my Church," the Lord told St. Francis in a dream. The Church is always in need of renewal and rebuilding. But the press, who so misjudged this selection, have also misjudged the issues of the day. It is not so much that the Curia is the priority problem, but that the whole Church, including the Curia, needs renewal. And this renewal begins on our knees praying.

At the same time, Francis may well be a sign that the rift between social teachings and doctrine is itself an aberration, and that Catholics are called to know their faith but also to live it, and living it means caring for those least able to care for themselves.

This is an inspired choice, and my prayer and my hope is that Pope Francis will call all of us to renewal in humility, service and love.

Greg Erlandson is OSV president and publisher.