There is always, and understandably, an outpouring of commentary at moments like this. This article in that respect is no different. To not comment on the Pope’s death for any outlet dedicated to Catholic Tradition would be worse than remiss. And so, there is a rush to say something that sounds either vaguely spiritual or moderately insightful to keep yourself relevant. Some will take a harsh tone and issue all sorts of dire predictions about the end times and coming calamities. A bit of controversy is good for business. Other will say something terribly sweet about impossibly wrong decisions. Not wanting to speak ill of the dead is one thing not being able to speak the truth is another thing entirely. Either way, it seems like both camps miss the point- the Church is a vehicle of Salvation, not an institution of optics.
It must be noted how effortlessly the world has captured this pontificate and cast it in its own image and likeness. The secular world wants to remember Francis for only the things of which it approves. And even then, only aspects of which they find acceptable. The headlines read: “Francis the Great Reformer,” The Great Liberator” and “The Earthquake the Catholic Church Sorely Needed.” He stood fast in defence of climate change, immigration and female empowerment; and stood steadfastly against right-wing populism, clericalism and social injustice. They list his ‘achievements’ as though he were ‘their man’. And not the Pope. There must be nothing more satisfying than eulogising your enemy… “I am come not to bury, but to praise.”
We expect that from the New York Times, CNBC and Reuters. We are so accustomed; we don’t even bother to raise an eyebrow. Their ideological capture is counterbalanced by the utterly anodyne. Statements from Bishops and their offices all over the world, are a race to praise- rarely are they a call to prayer and repentance. No matter what one may think he knows about this pontificate- what matters is that Catholics take to their knees. Final Judgement will not be as flattering as the local episcopal conference. And this makes no difference as to who is Pope or what you and I may think of him. One can only imagine the burdens of his office- and so one shudders when he thinks about having to render an account of it: For unto whomever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more (Luke 12:48).
Our inability to call people to repentance and prayer is a damnable offence. The reason why: it doesn’t play well in the press. It’s hard to get multiple calls from multiple news outlets when you tell those doing the interviewing that they should repent of their sins and get to confession. Or more appropriately in 2025, to get themselves baptised. All that just sounds a little too negative. And the world can’t stand anything negative as it enjoys its morning latte. Especially when a bit of negativity might do some actual good. All our negativity must be reserved for truly solemn occasions: like the death of a penguin or a melting iceberg.
The co-opting of the Church does not begin when the see is vacant. It happens even when no one is looking. Although, to be fair, it does seem to happen more quickly when everyone is watching. How many times do politicians during their term of office not only fail to darken the Church’s doorsteps, but act in complete concert with an agenda that is ant-life, anti-law and ant- human dignity. But when it comes time to ask the public for their jobs back- how quickly their Google Maps are updated with times and places for church services. Then, and only when the cameras have been switched on, to be welcomed on that church doorstep with open arms and open hands as the next request for a round of funding comes barrelling in. A perfect symbiosis of publicity and public funding all under the benevolent embrace of ‘the optics’.
Catholicism cannot emerge from this malaise until its clergy renounce its love affair with image. So long as we have one eye counting ‘likes’ of Facebook and another lining up the selfie-camara, the world cannot take us seriously. It knows it has our measure, because we want from it more than it wants from us. Even though theirs is a need and ours is a vice. Final Judgement has no need to go viral. Catholicism exists on the border between divine justice and mercy- the first of which is owed to us by nature, the second is obtained only by grace. If we want the world to stop co-opting our faith, then we must have the courage to resist what it offers and to demand it take seriously what it actually needs: the grace and mercy of God.
Requiem aeternam dona eis, Domine. Et lux perpetua luceat eis. Requiescat in pace.